Wildlife Wednesdays: Nemo and the Gang Celebrate World Oceans Day at Epcot

Join Nemo, Dory, Crush and the rest of the gang in celebrating the wonders of the oceans on World Oceans Day at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot on June 8. There’s a host of special activities:

• From endangered Florida manatees to bottlenose dolphins, discover the important role marine mammals play in the ocean ecosystem. Find out how the actions you take, such as recycling plastics and used fishing line, can protect these majestic mammals.
• Baby sea turtles face great obstacles in order to reach adulthood, which is why all species of sea turtles are either endangered or threatened. Experience an interactive model of a turtle excluder device, used on fishing boats to assist in preventing sea turtles from getting caught in nets. Find out how you can do your part to protect sea turtles, and how you can adopt the nest of one of the sea turtles that lays her eggs this year near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
• Coral reefs often are described as the rainforests of the oceans due to the abundance and diversity of life they help to sustain. Just like the rainforests, coral reefs face many challenges. These include overfishing and damage caused by pollution. Talk with Disney scientists, who are helping to restore coral reefs in The Bahamas.
• Sharks and stingrays play a vital role in marine ecosystems and, without them, many fish species would be in trouble. Find out what a shark’s tooth feels like and learn about the role sharks and stingrays play in the oceans’ food web. Learn about the impact of marine debris and how disposing of trash properly and recycling can keep the oceans clean.
• Everyone can make a difference by becoming wildlife-friendly shoppers. Participate in a “green shopping spree” and discover how environmentally friendly products help to save the environment, including our oceans, and wildlife.

Surrounded by the Pacific in Hawaii, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is joining the World Oceans Day celebration with special ocean-themed activities for guests. And, in addition to supporting conservation year-round, the resort is contributing a portion of the proceeds on June 8 from the Rainbow Reef snorkeling experience to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, which helps to protect wildlife on land and in the oceans around the world.

On World Oceans Day, and every day, it’s important to remember that no matter where we live we are all connected to the oceans—any action we take that reduces waste (including recycling everything possible), saves water or keeps it clean, protects ocean wildlife or reduces emissions helps our oceans.

Upcoming 2013 events for connecting families with nature (as always, dates subject to change):

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom –

• July 25: Tiger Day
• August 1: Primate Day
• August: Cotton-Top Tamarin Month
• September 5: International Vulture Awareness Day
• September 26: Elephant Day
• October 31: Bat Day
• November 12: Rhino Day

At The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot –

• September 7: International Manatee Day