Disney Releases Rehabilitated Orphaned Manatee Into the Wild

[Captain Hank]

Disney Releases Orphaned Manatee Back Into the Wild

Here's a nice warm-fuzzy story for ya:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ease-disney-bluespring-022409,0,2737438.story

 

[Craig & Lisa]

Here's a nice warm-fuzzy story for ya:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...ease-disney-bluespring-022409,0,2737438.story

Over the years that I and my family have gone to WDW we have tried to see the manatee's in Living Seas, and we have always noticed that they had the prop marks on their backs from stupid boaters just not paying attention. So I figured that they were there to rehabilitate before being returned to the wild, but had never heard of it till now. I never knew they had an young one there for those reasons. It's good to see that even in these times of economic problems, some of which Disney could not avoid, they still can provide for nature and help out. I guess this means the next time we are there they'll be new guests at the manatee pool.

 

[blackthidot]

My GF LOVES Manatees, she watched them for like an hour while at the seas...

She will like this! Thanks for the good read!

 

[uklad79]

Saves them a little bit more money not having to look after it with all the cutbacks :ROFLOL: I love the manatees they are so graceful for something so big, maybe would could learn from them.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

My GF LOVES Manatees, she watched them for like an hour while at the seas...

She will like this! Thanks for the good read!

I'm with your GF, I love manatees, too. When we were just at WDW I stood at the railing watching Bock. They're such sweet, docile animals. I grew up in Central Florida. When I was 12 or so I used to go with my best friend to her dad's big sailboat in Titusville. If I recall it was in the Indian River which fed into the ocean. When we turned the water hose on to wash the boat or anything and let the fresh water run/splash from the dock into the brackish water the manatees would come to it. They would open their mouths to let the water run into it. At the time I didn't know it was illegal to touch or swim with them. This was such a lont time ago. We got in the water and swam with them and played with them many times. I'll never forget the time we had a mother & baby with us. It was such a beautiful experience. They're such gentle animals. I've always loved them dearly. The key is to educate people about manatees. They're an integral part of the ecosystem in Florida's waterways. I always envisioned their slow, graceful movements as underwater angels of sorts. :animwink:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Very nice!:sohappy:

 

[Phonedave]

If you happen to catch the CM/caretakers when they are there, they tell you the EPCOT is a rehab center.

They get injured animals in all the time and then realease them when they are healthy.

The one manatee that is there, with the destroyed tail (I forget the name) will never be released back into the wild. He would not survive with his tail as injured as it is.


-dave

 

[dandaman]

My sister actually got to talk with a VERY nice manatee specialist at the Seas for a good 15 minutes as part of a research project last week; she'd mentioned the release of Bock earlier this week as well. Good to see it all pan out.