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EPCOT’s Manatee Exhibit Reopens with Short-Term Rehab Focus
Two new manatees have arrived at EPCOT’s The Seas with Nemo & Friends! The manatee exhibit has reopened, marking a new chapter in Disney’s commitment to manatee conservation. This reopening follows the temporary closure after Lil Joe and Inigo’s relocation.
Related – Two New Manatees have Arrived at The Seas Pavilion in EPCOT
Disney’s long-standing commitment to manatee care has evolved. For decades, their marine care program provided long-term housing and rehabilitation. Now, in partnership with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Disney has transitioned to short-term, critical rehabilitation. This new focus allows them to provide crucial temporary care for manatees recovering from life-threatening situations before their release back into the wild.
“As strandings increase, critical care facilities are becoming overwhelmed, so by shifting our focus, we open up space at The Seas for more of those urgent cases,” said Dr. Jen, a veterinarian at Walt Disney World. “This helps relieve pressure on overcrowded facilities, supports the MRP’s efforts, and boosts our contribution to manatee conservation.”
Cider and Mino are the first manatees to arrive at EPCOT under the exhibit’s new rehabilitation model. Their stay is expected to last six to nine months, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild during the food-rich winter months.
Disney’s Animal Health Director, Dr. Geoff, explained the program’s focus:
“Our role begins once critical and acute care has been completed. At that point, we may receive a stable manatee that simply needs some time to grow or gain weight before being released. The hope is that no manatee remains with us for too long — our goal is to ensure they are healthy and strong enough for a successful release back into the wild.”
The Seas with Nemo & Friends has undergone significant improvements to provide the best possible care for recovering manatees. A new medical lift floor allows veterinarians to perform health checks easily, while access to Disney’s on-site veterinary hospital and its CT scanner enable advanced diagnostics. Disney’s Water Sciences team also ensures optimal water quality with a state-of-the-art filtration system.
The transition to short-term critical care for manatees at EPCOT is part of a larger effort to protect Florida’s endangered manatee population. The need is critical: between 2020 and 2022, over 2,000 manatees died due to habitat loss, food scarcity, and environmental threats like red tide. While 2024 has brought some improvement, manatee calf mortality, especially in areas like Brevard County’s Indian River Lagoon, remains a concern.
“In rehabilitation, success isn’t just about releasing animals — it’s about seeing them thrive once they’re back in the wild,” Dr. Geoff said. “That’s what I love about the manatee program: they track the animals long-term. With manatees, we get to see months later that they’re still out there thriving. That’s the true measure of success for us.”
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