Overview

• CFTOD District Administrator Stephanie Kopelousos reported that roughly 2,000 fish were moved from the Rivers of America to the nearby Seven Seas Lagoon in a nighttime operation.
• The transfer used backstage canals to reduce disruption to wildlife during preparations to remove water from the river basin.
• The relocated population was about 70% sunfishes, 20% largemouth bass, and 10% miscellaneous species including catfish and Seminole killifish.
• The mitigation precedes site work for the Cars-themed Piston Peak National Park in Frontierland and a separate Villains area that require removing portions of the river and Tom Sawyer Island.
• Officials presented the effort as routine collaboration after a March 2024 settlement restored regular district operations, and reporters noted the District did not provide additional details or opening timelines.