UPDATE: Disney Breaks Silence on Removal of Manatees from EPCOT

Jamie Rowland

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A manatee swims underwater, seen from a slightly angled perspective. The water is clear with some reflections visible on the surface.

UPDATE: Disney Breaks Silence on Removal of Manatees from EPCOT

We recently reported on the sudden, unannounced removal of Lil Joe and Inigo from The Seas With Nemo and Friends. The pair of manatees have now been successfully relocated to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park near Fort Walton Beach in the Florida Panhandle.

Lil Joe, right, and Inigo were easygoing manatees as their caretakers prepared during early morning hours to move them from EPCOT'S The Seas with Nemo & Friends to a new aquarium home in Florida's Panhandle.(Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Lil Joe and recently added tank mate, Inigo departed EPCOT in the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 14, 2025 en route to their new home at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. The pair traveled in individual cargo trucks while Lil Joe reportedly snoozed throughout the journey.

Lil Joe, right, and Inigo are calm in their EPCOT aquarium as a Disney team prepares to load them into trucks for a ride to their new home at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park near Fort Walton Beach. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)

Weighing in at nearly a ton each, moving Lil Joe and Inigo was no easy feat. However, the Sentinel also reports that those in charge of handling the move did so with grace and efficiency. Upon his arrival, Lil Joe was given his favorite treats of sweet potatoes, apples, and a slurry of frozen vegetables called manatee gel. Gulfarium is extremely excited to have Lil Joe at their facility.

Lil Joe floats among clumps of lettuce in the recovery pool at SeaWorld Orlando in 2012. He had been rescued from the Little Econlockhatchee River east of Orlando. (Sentinel archive)

Lil Joe and Inigo’s move seems to have been recommended by the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services much like past Seas resident, manatee Lou. Going forward, The Seas will accept more critical needs and shorter-term manatee residents rather than host long-term stays. Although we will miss Lil Joe and Inigo, this will hopefully allow Disney to rehabilitate even more manatees over time.

A manatee swims underwater in a clear tank, facing the camera with its front flippers slightly spread apart.
Underwater view of two manatees swimming near each other in a tank with rocks and some small fish around them.

West Indian manatees like Lil Joe and Inigo are native to the Florida area and are considered a “threatened” species by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Disney works in conjunction with local associations to rehabilitate injured or orphaned manatees with the ultimate goal of helping them return to their natural habitat. To date, the program at EPCOT has helped rehabilitate and release over 25 manatees including Lil Joe and Inigo.

While not confirmed, Walt Disney World entertainment host Steven Soares reported that new manatees will move in at a later date.

The entrance features blue curtains with a "Manatees" sign elegantly displayed above. A small blue podium stands in front, reminiscent of an EPCOT exhibit.

Now missing its manatees, the viewing area on the first floor of SeaBase Aquarium is blocked with curtains and rope.

The dimly lit hallway, reminiscent of EPCOT's futuristic design, features blue lighting and exhibit displays on the walls; a bright EXIT sign hovers above an open doorway, inviting you to explore further.

The second floor viewing area is also blocked off by rope, although still viewable by guests exploring other areas of the aquarium.

A corridor in an indoor area at EPCOT features blue construction walls blocking one side. Signs adorn the walls under the overhead lighting, creating a pathway reminiscent of exploring hidden wonders, almost as if leading you to a sanctuary for manatees beneath the sea.
A blue corridor reminiscent of EPCOT leads to a closed door with a sign above indicating a restroom. The hallway, softly lit with overhead lights, evokes an atmosphere where dreams and reality gently blend.

More changes are also coming to The Seas as construction walls are up surrounding the escalator. In addition, the DiveQuest scuba experience is closed due to construction in the tanks, including the former dolphin tank. DiveQuest may reopen as soon as March.

Cast Members said work includes an expansion to the walkways through the tanks to better accommodate scooters and wheelchairs. They also said the park’s professional divers have been practicing for emergency situations involving guests with disabilities.

How do you feel about the relocation of Lil Joe and Inigo? Do you plan on making the trip to see them at their new location? Let us know in the comments!

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1 thought on “UPDATE: Disney Breaks Silence on Removal of Manatees from EPCOT”

  1. I live in Fort Walton Beach and have been an annual pass holder of the Gulfarium for several years. The manatees will be well taken care of and it will be great to see them.

    Reply

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