Posts tagged "MRP"

Going Home: Manatee Returns to Natural Habitat After WDW Rehab (UPDATE: Video)

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Bock, a client of the Manatee Rehabilitation Project, was released back into the wild yesterday (c) Gene Duncan/Disney

Bock, a client of the Manatee Rehabilitation Project, was released back into the wild yesterday (c) Gene Duncan/Disney

As part of the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), Disney’s Animal Programs team helps to take final measurements and readings Feb. 24, 2009 as they prepare to release a manatee into his natural habitat at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Fla. The manatee, named “Bock,” was released Tuesday into the warm waters of the St. John’s River. The manatee, rescued as an orphan from the St. John’s River in 2001, arrived at Epcot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. in 2003 weighing about 500 pounds. At Epcot, marine mammal experts weaned him from a bottle and began feeding him a diet of romaine lettuce, fruits and other vegetables. “Bock” now weighs more than 1,000 pounds and is approximately eight years old. Prior to his release, he was fitted with a satellite tracking belt to follow his movements and allow for behavioral observation. His progress will be monitored by the MRP in which Disney’s Animal Programs has been involved since 2001 when the partnership was established. The MRP is a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal entities that monitors the health and survival of rehabilitated and released manatees.

Video after the jump Read more…

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Posted by Stitch Kingdom - March 2, 2009 at 1:16 pm

Categories: Animal Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World   Tags: , , , ,

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