EPCOT's Manatee and Dolphins Set for Relocation as Part of Animal Welfare Efforts and Infrastructure Upgrades

23 days ago in "The Seas with Nemo and Friends (Pavilion)"

Posted: Tuesday September 10, 2024 11:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World announced Tuesday that one manatee and three dolphins currently residing in EPCOT's The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion will soon be relocated.

 

According to the Orlando Sentinel, this move is part of ongoing efforts to support animal rehabilitation and accommodate infrastructure work at the popular attraction.

Disney said Lou, the manatee, will be transferred to another rehabilitation center on Wednesday. Lou has been a part of the pavilion's manatee exhibit, which focuses on the rehabilitation of these vulnerable marine animals. Following Lou's departure, another manatee will join Lil Joe, the remaining manatee at The Seas, to provide companionship as part of the attraction's continued support for the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership.

The relocation is part of a coordinated effort involving several facilities across Florida, with recommendations from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services and the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership.

In addition to Lou's relocation, the three male dolphins currently residing at The Seas will be moved to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach in late October. Disney explained that this decision followed a thorough evaluation, with the best interests of the dolphins in mind as infrastructure work at The Seas progresses.

While these changes are underway, some of the pavilion's popular offerings will also be affected. EPCOT's "Dolphins in Depth," a two-hour behind-the-scenes tour, and the DiveQuest experience, which allows certified divers to explore the pavilion's 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium, will continue until October 19. DiveQuest is expected to return in 2025, after the completion of the infrastructure work.

Guests will still be able to enjoy other elements of The Seas pavilion, including its aquarium, home to a variety of marine life such as sharks, sea turtles, and clownfish, as well as the family-friendly "Finding Nemo" dark ride and the interactive "Turtle Talk with Crush" attraction.

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jeanericuser00120 days ago

This reminds me of an episode from star trek the next generation.

TrainsOfDisney22 days ago

Was Lou considered too big for the space? I’m not sure if manatees bond but it seems like after so many years it’s sad that Lou and Joe are separated. :-/

Eric Graham22 days ago

Thought I would post this as an addition to the current article...Hope this helps! https://blogmickey.com/2024/09/changes-now-underway-at-the-seas-pavilion-in-epcot-with-the-departure-of-lou-the-manatee/

ChrisFL22 days ago

Time for robot dolphins. I'm pretty sure the Living Seas had one briefly as well but can't find pics/video right now

celluloid22 days ago

Great station, but legit the Cinci Zoo manatee rehab center program is impressive.

larryz23 days ago

LittleBuford23 days ago

I may have misunderstood what you meant by “similar locations”. I obviously have no issue with true sanctuaries. And if they can be visited without causing distress to the animals, I have no problem with that either.

celluloid23 days ago

Why? What's wrong with seeing Dolphin's rescued /in rehabilitation sanctuary if the money of admission helps support the care, education and rescues?

celluloid23 days ago

There are many things not true about this. There will be MMPA rescues and needs at many other facilities. Thankfully, the Dolphins in Captivity have provided great help to rescue the ones in need.

LittleBuford23 days ago

I hope not, and I very much doubt it.

celluloid23 days ago

Yep. Now it is for inspiration and conservation as a focus that were not well known before. But your grandkids(or someone their age) will have the opportunity to see these creatures in similar locations.

LittleBuford23 days ago

Rescued dolphins are a separate matter. The vast majority of animals in captivity (including dolphins) aren’t rescues. The days of dolphins and whales being captured and bred purely for human entertainment are thankfully numbered—and the industry itself has acknowledged as much.

celluloid23 days ago

There are many things not true about this. There will be MMPA rescues and needs at many other facilities. Breeding and having Dolphins in Captivity are different things.

LittleBuford23 days ago

No-one is suggesting they should be released into the wild; that would be impossible. The sanctuary isn’t meant as a prototype for future forms of captivity; it’s essentially a retirement home for a final generation of captive dolphins. Even SeaWorld announced in 2016 that the current generation of orcas in their parks would be their last. When the industry itself has acknowledged its own obsolescence, there isn’t much room for debate.