New Manatee Joins Lil Joe at The Seas in EPCOT

A new manatee friend now calls The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT home after Lil Joe’s previous companion, Lou, was recently relocated.

New Manatee at The Seas

Indoor area displaying a health and wellness board with information about two animals, crates of lettuce, and a blue exercise ball.

The new manatee is named Inigo. Today, September 20, 2024, was his first day out in guest view at The Seas. His weight and history have yet to be added to the board at their tank.

A clear water tank with rocks and floating leaves contains two manatees. Informational signs and displays are visible in the background.

Joe’s former companion manatee, Lou, was moved from The Seas to another rehabilitation center on September 11. Inigo has taken his place. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Lou’s relocation was done “as part of a broader set of manatee moves around the state,” under the recommendation of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services. Three male dolphins will also be relocated to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in late October.

While we will greatly miss Lou, we do look forward to aiding this other manatee in the next stage of rehabilitation as we continue to do our part in addressing the manatee crisis in Florida, which as seen declining manatee populations in the past few years.

Statement from Walt Disney World

An indoor aquarium scene with a manatee in the water and informational signage. Stacked crates and educational posters are visible near the pool area.

We caught Lil Joe and Inigo just after a lettuce feeding in their tank.

Two manatees swimming close to each other underwater near some rocks, with one manatee partially obscured.

The pair were hanging out side-by-side after Inigo rammed Lil Joe (playfully).

The Seas with Nemo & Friends is located in World Nature at EPCOT, and features a “Finding Nemo”-themed dark ride with views into the 5.7-million-gallon aquarium inside the pavilion. The aquarium is home to fish and sharks, and here, guests can learn more about marine biology and life under the sea.

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

Welcome, Inigo!

Are you excited to see a new friend for Lil Joe now at The Seas with Nemo & Friends? Will you miss Lou and the three dolphins? Let us know in the comments and on social media.

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