Manatees - Disney Animals

Relatively solitary animals, West Indian manatees float through tropical and subtropical estuaries, tranquil rivers and coastal waters in search of food and warm water sources. They’re native to the East Coast of the United States, Central America and South America.

You can see the West Indian manatee at EPCOT. Over the years, injured manatees have taken up residence at SeaBase Aquarium for rehabilitation following near-fatal boat strikes that impeded their ability to survive in the wild. Others arrived to stabilize after experiencing cold stress.

Most manatees at SeaBase Aquarium are here for a temporary stay. They’re carefully monitored and expertly cared for—with the goal of being returned to the wild after an appropriate amount of rest, recovery and rehabilitation.

Here’s an inside look at the lives of these manatees:

• Prepped for Takeoff: To ensure that the natural instincts of visiting manatees remain intact for their eventual release, manatee training is minimal. The training they do receive allows them to participate in their own recovery and makes it easier for Disney animal care experts to monitor each manatee’s progress.
  
  
• Keeping Track: Even after they are released, these mighty mammals are carefully tracked and monitored to ensure that they are migrating and socializing as they should be.
  
  
• “Lettuce” Eat: The manatees at SeaBase Aquarium enjoy the same high-quality produce that’s served to our Guests! They eat nearly 100 heads of lettuce a day—a food that’s similar to the floating plants they consume in the wild. While this lettuce offers all the nutrients they need, additional foods like carrot, apple and sweet potato are incorporated into their diet as a form of enrichment.

West Indian manatees face several threats, including watercraft strikes, pollution and loss of groundwater due to human activities.

The Walt Disney Company is committed to saving wildlife and protecting the magic of nature together as a global community. The Disney Conservation Fund* supports organizations and communities working to protect spaces for people and wildlife across manatee habitats around the world.