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 $348,000 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.