Urge Disney To Relocate Their Epcot Dolphins To A Seaside Sanctuary, Not Another Theme Park

Disney World recently announced the retirement of the dolphins at its Epcot theme park in Bay Lake, Florida. This decision marks a significant shift away from human-dolphin interactions as entertainment. While this decision is commendable, the dolphins will be relocated to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, where they will continue to be exploited.

The three Atlantic bottlenose dolphins—Rainier, Calvin, and Malabar—currently part of Epcot’s The Seas with Nemo and Friends attraction, are scheduled to be relocated in late October. Disney claims it is prioritizing the well-being of these sensitive marine mammals, but transferring them to another facility where they will still be used for profit does not reflect genuine concern for their welfare.

In the wild, dolphins are highly social and intelligent creatures, traveling a span of up to 60 miles per day. They engage in intricate social interactions within their pods, showcasing behaviors such as cooperative hunting, playful activities, and complex communication. This dynamic lifestyle is crucial for their well-being and mental stimulation.

In stark contrast, dolphins in captivity often face a drastically different existence. Confined to small, barren tanks, they experience a significant reduction in environmental complexity. This lack of stimulation often leads to behavioral issues, including increased aggression and signs of stress. Some dolphins even require medication for depression, highlighting the profound impact of captivity on their mental health.

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, like many marine parks, features captive dolphins forced to perform in shows and participate in dolphin encounter attractions. These performances are unnatural, and the dolphins are often kept hungry to ensure compliance during interactions. This is not the future that the Epcot dolphins deserve.

Instead of being moved to another facility, these dolphins should be retired to a seaside sanctuary where they can live in ocean environments and exhibit their natural behaviors, free from human exploitation. We urge Disney to relocate their dolphins to a true sanctuary where they can live the rest of their days in peace.

Take Action! Please call Walt Disney World Resort and politely ask them to retire their dolphins to a seaside sanctuary. Please leave a message if you call after hours.

Executive Correspondence Office
Walt Disney World Resort
(407) 939-7818

You can say:

“I am calling to respectfully request that Disney consider retiring the dolphins currently at Epcot to a dedicated seaside sanctuary rather than relocating them to another marine park. Dolphins in captivity often face exploitation and they deserve the opportunity to spend the remainder of their lives in a natural, oceanic environment where they can engage in their inherent behaviors.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.”

2. Please make comments on Walt Disney World Resort’s Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

You can say:

Please let the dolphins at Epcot retire to a sanctuary instead of moving to a marine park where they will continue to be exploited! #EmptyTheTanks

For X/Twitter, you can use something like this: Let the Disney Dolphins go to a sanctuary! #EmptyTheTanks

3. Send a letter to Walt Disney World Resort leadership by filling out the form on In Defense of Animals website, HERE!