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

Sep 10, 2024 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.

Marquee wave effect at Nemo and Friends pavilion

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.

The Seas With Nemo and Friends Pavilion at EPCOT

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.

Dolphins in Depth

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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jeanericuser001Sep 13, 2024

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

TrainsOfDisneySep 11, 2024

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 GrahamSep 11, 2024

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/

ChrisFLSep 11, 2024

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

celluloidSep 11, 2024

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

larryzSep 11, 2024

LittleBufordSep 11, 2024

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.

celluloidSep 11, 2024

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

celluloidSep 11, 2024

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.

LittleBufordSep 11, 2024

I hope not, and I very much doubt it.

celluloidSep 11, 2024

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.

LittleBufordSep 11, 2024

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.

celluloidSep 11, 2024

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.

LittleBufordSep 11, 2024

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.