A young manatee named Calfuccino has recently taken up residence at EPCOT, part of Walt Disney World, for her rehabilitation following a challenging start to life. This female manatee, who now weighs over 500 pounds, previously received critical care at ZooTampa after a boat strike injured her mother near Naples, Florida.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/calfuccino4-102226-69760add96a94e9c8ce9bf8fe6556148.jpg)
Upon her arrival at EPCOT’s The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Calfuccino was introduced to the public via an Instagram post from Disney’s animal care team, which expressed excitement about her presence. The post invited fans to send their greetings to the young manatee, now eagerly recovering alongside two other manatees named Cider and Tanimura.
The process of transporting Calfuccino to her new home was quite dramatic. Footage shared by Disney displayed her being lifted by a crane to the roof of The Seas, followed by a careful descent into a behind-the-scenes pool. “Talk about a grand entrance!” was the playful remark accompanying the video, highlighting the significant effort made to ensure her safe transfer.
Calfuccino’s arrival is part of Disney’s ongoing commitment to manatee rehabilitation, facilitated through collaborations with organisations such as the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This initiative reflects Disney’s adaptive approach to conservation, particularly as manatee strandings have risen in recent years.
In an effort to address the growing numbers of distressed manatees, Disney announced in February 2025 a strategic shift in its rehabilitation focus. Rather than offering permanent homes to manatees, The Seas with Nemo & Friends will now concentrate on providing temporary care for those needing recovery after emergency treatment. “As strandings increase, critical care facilities are becoming overwhelmed, so by shifting our focus, we open up space at The Seas for more of those urgent cases,” stated Dr. Jen, a Disney veterinarian, in the announcement.
This new policy enables Disney to assist manatees that have received immediate veterinary attention but still require additional time to recuperate, grow, or gain weight. “Our role begins once critical and acute care has been completed,” explained Dr. Geoff, Disney’s Animal Health Director. The facility is well-equipped with advanced medical technology, including a lift floor designed for examinations, blood draws, and X-rays.
Typically, Disney aims to care for each manatee for a duration of six to nine months, although the specific timeline varies based on the individual needs of each animal. As for Calfuccino, there is no confirmed timeline for her potential release into Florida’s waterways. For now, her priority is to gain strength and further her recovery in a supportive environment.
Dr. Geoff emphasised that success in rehabilitation isn’t solely measured by the release of animals back into the wild, but instead by their ability to thrive once they return to their natural habitat. This careful consideration underscores the seriousness of the rehabilitation process, and the commitment of Disney’s animal care team to ensure the wellbeing of manatees like Calfuccino.
As the young manatee continues her recovery alongside Cider and Tanimura, the focus remains on building not just her physical strength, but a foundation for a successful reintegration into the wild. The commitment shown by Disney in standing by these vulnerable creatures exemplifies the importance of conservation efforts and the nurturing of wildlife for future generations.