LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 21, 2011 – Jasper and Vail may sound like two western United States vacation spots, but they’re actually the names of two manatees at Walt Disney World Resort. Both male manatees were brought to Epcot for rehabilitative care provided by marine mammal experts at The Seas with Nemo & Friends.

With approximately 5,000 endangered manatees in Florida, Disney’s Animal Programs has emerged as a leader in the rehabilitation of endangered marine species, including sea turtles and manatees. Since 2001, Disney Animal Programs has been involved with the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). The MRP is a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal entities that monitors the health and survival of rehabilitated and released manatees.

“Typically, The Seas serves as a ‘halfway house’ for manatees after they are out of ‘intensive care,’” according to Jane Davis, curator at The Seas. “The team of veterinarians and husbandry cast members works with manatees to ensure they are healthy, resume a normal diet and are ready to return to the wild.”

After receiving care for the past year, Jasper was released back to his natural habitat in the warm waters of the Indian River Lagoon on the Atlantic Coast of Florida. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Jasper has been adapting well and has reportedly integrated well with a group of 30 other manatees.

Not coincidentally, Jasper’s release opened up a spot for another rescued manatee in need of care. Disney’s marine mammal team is currently working to rehabilitate Vail, who was injured nearly 15 years ago from a watercraft strike. As a result of the accident, the male manatee is missing a portion of his tail paddle. Vail apparently wasted no time in getting comfortable in his new setting. Within a few hours of his arrival, he had eaten 10 heads of lettuce – a healthy meal for a manatee.

While the care associated with manatee rehabilitation at The Seas with Nemo & Friends was provided by Disney, Epcot guests have also helped other manatees in the wild by supporting the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF). The DWCF has contributed more than 8,000 for manatee research and awareness around the globe. Since its inception in 1995, the DWCF has supported manatee research and community conservation in countries including the United States, Belize, Guatemala and Gabon, and worked with organizations including Mote Marine Laboratory, University of Florida and the Wildlife Trust.

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Summer is the perfect time for reconnecting with family and friends and making memories that will last a lifetime. And now, SeaWorld Orlando is rolling out an offer that comes at the perfect time for vacations and allows families the chance to make a real difference for wildlife conservation.

Now through December 31, with each full-paid, SeaWorld Orlando single-day, adult admission purchased online, any child age 12 and under gets a .00 admission, all of which goes to fund non-profit organizations that are working right now on wildlife conservation projects. Families even can choose which wildlife conservation effort receives their donation.

“This offer makes it easy for families and friends to reconnect during a vacation, a getaway or even just a day trip to one of our parks,” said Jim Atchison, President and Chief Executive Officer for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “At SeaWorld, families experience amazing up-close animal connections that can’t be found any place else. And we believe a greater respect for the world we share follows a visit to one of our parks.”

“We know the economy’s been tough for everyone, but more than ever before, everyone needs to spend time together,” Atchison said. “We think families also will have fun deciding which wildlife conservation project gets their donation, too. It’s a wonderful way for kids to learn about the work that goes on to save animals in the wild.”

For important details on this offer and to buy tickets, go to SeaWorldCares.com.

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Sea World Orlando is known for more than just shows, when it comes to animal welfare and conservation efforts. Recently, they had two fantastic landmark events occur. Julyl 2010 saw the hatching of Tawny Frogmouth chicks — six in total have hatched this year and all the babies are thriving. Tawny frogmouths had been nearing extinction, even in carefully-monitored zoo environments. Breeding programs were not as successful as had originally been hoped. Sea World decided to work with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in order to create a program to sustain populations and encourage breeding. The program has been a success - in the past decade, Sea World has welcomed 24 chicks. The babies were initially hand-fed by trained aviculturists in order to make sure nothing went wrong but thanks to the program and the efforts of researchers, the newest chick was able to be raised by its parents — check out the pic!

Sea World conservation efforts happen in the water, too. This past May, they rescued their 303rd sea turtle, a massive 270-lb male loggerhead. The turtle had been seen floating on his side for several days before Sea World aquarists got him to the rehabilitation center. He was emaciated and covered in barnacles; it has been assumed that his condition was caused by ingesting a foreign object. The big male was cleaned, treated with antibiotics, and checked with x-rays in case of internal injury. The Rehab Center is happy to report he eventually started eating on his own. They hope to release him back into the waters of the San Carlos Bay near Ft. Myers, FL, soon.

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All of the Sea World parks are known for the assistance they offer animals, both in the wild and in rescue/rehabilitation programs in the parks and behind the scenes. In the wake of the latest oil spill tragedy affecting the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Alabama, Sea World has jumped in to help. The official statement is below:

“SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment – including the SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego — today pledged their expertise, facilities, manpower and resources to aid animals affected by the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
SeaWorld’s animal rescue teams have particular expertise with the care and treatment of oiled animals. All three SeaWorld parks rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of ill, orphaned and injured marine animals each year; more than 1,000 in just the first four months of 2010.”

Here is a video of Sea World Orlando veterinarian Dr. Chris Dold, explaining a bit about who and why Sea World plans to help.

While officials are saying no civilian volunteers are currently needed, if you want to help and have the ways and means to get to the site, please call the following phone number and leave your information. Officials from Alabama will contact when your help is needed: 888-421-1266.
All of the Sea World parks are known for the assistance they offer animals, both in the wild and in rescue/rehabilitation programs in the parks and behind the scenes. In the wake of the latest oil spill tragedy affecting the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Alabama, Sea World has jumped in to help. The official statement is below:

“SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment – including the SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego — today pledged their expertise, facilities, manpower and resources to aid animals affected by the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
SeaWorld’s animal rescue teams have particular expertise with the care and treatment of oiled animals. All three SeaWorld parks rescue and rehabilitate hundreds of ill, orphaned and injured marine animals each year; more than 1,000 in just the first four months of 2010.”

Here is a video of Sea World Orlando veterinarian Dr. Chris Dold, explaining a bit about who and why Sea World plans to help.

While officials are saying no civilian volunteers are currently needed, if you want to help and have the ways and means to get to the site, please call the following phone number and leave your information. Officials from Alabama will contact when your help is needed: 888-421-1266.

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