The manatee exhibit at The [Living] Seas pavilion is always a must-do when visiting EPCOT‘s very own aquarium. If you visit anytime soon, there’s a new rehab resident to look out for!
A young female manatee named Calfuccino has arrived to continue her rehabilitation after receiving critical care at ZooTampa. Weighing more than 500 pounds, she’s the latest manatee to call EPCOT’s massive aquarium her temporary home as she prepares for an eventual return to Florida’s waterways.
From @animalsatdisney on Instagram:
Meet Calfuccino, the newest manatee undergoing rehab at EPCOT. She received critical care at ZooTampa after her mother was injured by boat strike near Naples, Florida. Manatees are lifted by crane onto the roof of The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Next, she is carefully lowed into a backstage pool. Calfuccino will join Cider and Tanimura here at the Seas with Nemo & Friends. She will continue rehab at EPCOT until her eventual release back into the wild.
Calfuccino joins fellow manatees Cider and Tanimura at The Seas, where Disney’s animal care team will continue monitoring her recovery. And while we always love seeing new manatees arrive at EPCOT, the best part of this program is knowing that their stay is only temporary, with the ultimate goal of returning these gentle giants to the wild.
Disney plays a crucial role in manatee rehabilitation through their partnership with the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). As part of this collaboration, The Seas houses manatees for shorter periods, typically for 6 to 9 months, assisting with their recovery before they move on to the next stage of care or released back into the wild. Manatee residents visible to guests at EPCOT change frequently as new animals are moved in and older residents are returned to nature.
One of my favorite things about visiting The Seas is getting to spend time watching the manatees. I could easily stand at the viewing windows all day, watching them slowly swim around, munch on lettuce, and occasionally come right up to the glass. It’s such a peaceful little corner of EPCOT, and there’s something pretty special about seeing these gentle giants up close.
The exhibit also offers a great opportunity to learn more about Florida’s native wildlife. Manatees face several threats in the wild, including boat strikes, habitat loss, and declining food sources. The rehabilitation work happening right here at EPCOT helps give rescued manatees another chance at life in their natural habitat. Next time you’re visiting The Seas, take a few extra minutes to stop by the manatee viewing area. You might spot Calfuccino settling into her temporary home!
