Disney’s team of wildlife experts have been working on a special mission over the past year to help save Florida’s coral reefs from the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease. This disease has put 22 coral species at risk of extinction.
Disney is working alongside the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Fisheries, and SeaWorld. With this the Florida Coral Rescue Center in Orlando was established which is the largest of its kind in the the U.S. to care and safeguard some of the most vulnerable species in Florida coral reefs.
Disney wants to do what they can to keep the Florida coastline, and coral reefs vibrant and healthy. The Florida Coral Rescue Center provides a safe, stable environment for 745 coral specimens and their offspring. The goal of the center is to return these rescued corals back to the ocean to help restore the ecosystems.
One of the people behind this charge with Disney is Dr. Andy Stamper who has expertise in coral conservation worldwide. Dr. Stamper has worked to rehabilitate coral reefs in The Bahamas in partnership with Disney Cruise Line. Disney implemented coral nurseries in 2007 in The Bahamas. The Disney Conservation Fund has worked to provide nearly $17 million to marine conservation. programs.
You can learn more about this initiative here: https://www.aza.org/connect-june-2019
Source: Disney Parks Blog
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