Something HUGE Just Changed at EPCOT…and It Might Make You A Little Sad

Okay, we’re going to admit that we’ve got some Disney World news that might just make you cry.

We see a manatee; we fall in love

So, one of our favorite things to do in EPCOT is visit The Living Seas with Nemo and Friends and head on over to the aquarium, where you can see all kinds of sea life, including turtles, seahorses, stingrays, and more. Well, one of our favorite creatures to see is the manatees, and y’all…we fell in LOVE with a manatee named Mermaid that we first saw in March. Well, we have a huge update to share about her!

As we said, we first saw Mermaid in EPCOT in March, and we learned that she was rescued north of Tampa from the Homosassa River in February. She had been found in an “emaciated state,” so Disney took on the task of caring for her and rehabilitating her so that she could return home to the river when she was ready. This poor animal had a split tail, which was likely due to a cut from a boat propeller, although it’s hard to tell for certain what caused it.

Mermaid’s tail was injured

Mermaid eventually regained her weight and strength. And recently, she was taken back to where she was rescued, the Homosassa River. A small group of the education team from The Seas pavilion went on the journey with her, including a Cast Member who told us how happy she was when she was released.

Mermaid in EPCOT

Now, this is where you might cry: the Cast Member told us that the minute her nose hit the water of the river, she was gone. She took that advice from the BTS song “Swim,” and SWAM. This manatee could not wait to be free again, and now she is (we’re not crying!!!). So swim free, little Mermaid, and may you have a long and healthy life!

Via @drmarkatdisney

We love stories like this because they showcase just how important the work Disney World does with its animals, especially with its manatee rehabilitation program. Mermaid got a chance to recover from her injury and go back home because of the hard work and care given to her by the Cast Members who worked with her.

We’ll be back with even more heartwarming stories from Disney World, so if you need a good cry that will make you feel joyful, too, stay tuned to DFB for more.

The Unspoken Rule You Should Follow at the Seas Pavilion in EPCOT

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