After Rehabilitating at The Seas With Nemo & Friends, Mermaid the Manatee Has Been Released to the Wild
A major change took place at EPCOT earlier this year when Lil Joe and Inigo, who had long called The Seas With Nemo & Friends pavilion home, were relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
Eventually, Disney explained that The Seas pavilion’s role in manatee conservation was changing.
In collaboration with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Disney is transitioning The Seas from a long-term permanent manatee care residency to a short-term critical care facility.
Photo: Disney
With the change, Disney promised that EPCOT guests would soon see more manatees cycle through the park’s facilities, with the goal that they would eventually be released to the wild.
Enter Mermaid
As part of the Seas’ new conservation role, Mermaid the manatee moved into the pavilion last March.
Photo: Disney
“Weighing in at approximately 525 pounds, Mermaid was rescued north of Tampa from the Homosassa River in February after needing critical care. Through Disney’s collaboration with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, our skilled animal care team is working to help her regain strength and weight,” Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Animals, Science, and Environment, explained.
“This partnership and the care Mermaid will receive at The Seas is the next stop on her journey as she prepares for her eventual return to the wild. As a leader in wildlife conservation, we are honored and look forward to aiding Mermaid, and other manatees in the next stage of rehabilitation, as we continue to do our part in addressing the manatee crisis in Florida.”
Over the past seven months, Mermaid has become a beloved member of the Seas family.
Now, however, it is time for the manatee to move on.
The Manatee Has Been Released
Today, Dr. Mark took to Instagram to share that Mermaid had been released back into the wild.
Photo: Disney
To facilitate the move, Mermaid was hoisted out of The Seas for her final health assessment.
Photo: Also Disney
From there, she was transported back to the Homosassa River in west Florida, from where she was originally rescued.
Photo: Also Disney
Needless to say, it was an exciting and important moment for the Disney Animal Care team.
Photo: Also Disney
You can learn more about Mermaid’s journey below.
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