Finding Nemo in ... San Marino? Disneyland Hotel donates 250 koi to Huntington gardens

More than 250 koi have been transported from the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim to the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino as part of the hotel's preparations for a makeover. The move is permanent.

Floristic gardens curator Shadi Shihab, who oversees the lily ponds at the Huntington, says representatives from Disney contacted him two weeks ago.

"They sent out two inspectors from Disneyland to look at the ponds," Shihab said. "They were serious about finding them a good home."

Disney paid for the fishes' subsequent transfer during the last two weekends. The koi, which were popular at the hotel according to Disney spokeswoman Betsy Sanchez, were transported inside large insulated containers, pictured at right, fitted with portable air pumps. Pond water was then pumped into the holding containers so the koi could acclimate to their new home before being placed in the Huntington's lily ponds, Japanese garden and Chinese garden lake.

The Huntington reported that the fish were doing well alongside their new neighbors, including baby ducks, turtles and the other resident koi.

"They are really happy here," Shihab said. "It is a beautiful environment."

-- Lisa Boone

Photo credits: The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens

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