At EPCOT’s Seas Pavilion, a significant shift is taking place in how Disney supports manatee conservation. Known for its dedication to wildlife care, Disney has transitioned the pavilion’s manatee habitat from offering long-term residency to providing short-term, critical care for rescued manatees.
This change reflects a growing focus on immediate rehabilitation needs, ensuring that these gentle marine mammals recover and return to the wild. Here’s what you need to know about the new program, the facilities, and how it benefits both the animals and conservation efforts.
The Transition to Short-Term, Critical Care
The Seas Pavilion has long served as a nurturing space for manatees, showcasing Disney’s commitment to wildlife rehabilitation and care. However, with the increasing need for rescue and rehabilitation assistance in Florida, the pavilion has shifted its focus. Now, instead of providing permanent care, the facility serves as a short-term critical care center.
This change allows the pavilion to support the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) by handling younger or recovering manatees for 6 to 9 months. These animals often require weight gain or additional recovery time before they can safely be released back into their natural habitats.
Why Manatee Conservation Matters
Manatees, commonly referred to as “sea cows,” face numerous challenges in the wild. Threats include watercraft collisions, habitat loss, harmful algal blooms, and a declining supply of seagrass, their primary food source. These challenges have led to their federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Between 2020 and 2022, Florida experienced what experts labeled an Unusual Mortality Event (UME), with significant manatee deaths attributed to habitat decline. Although 2024 saw slight improvements, challenges remain, particularly for young manatees reliant on stable ecosystems. Critical care facilities like the Seas Pavilion play an essential role in addressing these challenges by providing a safe environment for rehabilitation.
Cutting-Edge Features at The Seas Pavilion
The transition to short-term care has been accompanied by updated facilities and resources to accommodate the needs of recovering manatees.
- Specialized Medical Care
The pavilion is equipped with a medical lift floor that allows veterinary staff to perform essential procedures such as blood tests and radiographs. For advanced care, Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers additional support, including access to a CT scanner that ensures manatees receive precise diagnoses and treatments. - Advanced Water System
An expertly managed water quality system ensures the health of the marine animals. This system is handled by Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment team, which monitors and maintains the optimal aquatic environment. - Collaborative Efforts
By collaborating with organizations like the MRP, Disney contributes to a broader network of facilities providing manatee care. This teamwork allows facilities to share knowledge, equipment, and strategies for rehabilitation success.
Welcoming New Manatees
Since its transition, the pavilion has already welcomed new arrivals. These manatees are typically young juveniles requiring nutritional support, additional growth, or recovery from injuries before release. Guests visiting the pavilion may notice these residents change more frequently, reflecting the facility’s dynamic role as a rehabilitation hub.
Meanwhile, long-term residents such as Lil Joe and Inigo have been relocated to other care facilities. Their successful transitions highlight Disney’s intent to ensure each manatee is housed in the most appropriate environment for its needs.
How Guests Can Contribute to Conservation
Guests at EPCOT can play an active role in supporting manatee conservation by learning about these gentle creatures during their visit to the Seas Pavilion. Educational displays provide information about manatees’ natural habitats, challenges they face, and the importance of wildlife protection efforts.
Every engagement with the pavilion helps foster awareness and support for manatee conservation efforts. Guests can also consider contributing to organizations like the MRP or exploring ways to protect marine environments through sustainable practices.
Looking to the Future
The Seas Pavilion’s shift to short-term critical care reinforces Disney’s dedication to wildlife conservation and sets an example for collaborative efforts in animal care. By focusing on rescue, recovery, and release, the pavilion addresses the immediate needs of manatee populations while inspiring guests.
For those visiting EPCOT, the Seas Pavilion now offers a rare insight into the critical work required to protect and rehabilitate marine mammals. It’s an opportunity to see firsthand the impact of conservation in action and to contribute to the health of our planet’s ecosystems.
Conclusion
Disney’s transition to short-term, critical care for manatees marks an important step in supporting manatee populations at a time when their survival faces numerous challenges. Through its advanced facilities, collaboration with conservation organizations, and dedication to public education, the Seas Pavilion at EPCOT continues to make a meaningful impact.
Whether you’re a Disney fan, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the wonders of nature, a visit to the Seas Pavilion offers an opportunity to learn, connect, and support efforts to protect these incredible creatures for future generations.
Written by
Rachel Van Norman
Contributing Writer
Rachel fell deeply in love with all things Disney as a little girl. Now as a wife and a mother herself, she shares this Disney obsession with her son and everyone around her. From her love of princesses to eating all the Disney food, Rachel spends her time radiating Disney magic and keeping everyone up to date on Disney news.
