Often overlooked in the past, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has gotten some attention over the years for their animal births. The park specializes in many threatened or endangered species.
Since the park opening in 1998, the births include a siamang, giraffes, white rhinos, an okapi, five Micronesian Kingfishers (there are only 68 left in the world!), and many, many more. Since 2003, three African elephants were born- Tufani, Kianga, and Nadirah. The most recent birth is of a young gorilla named Lilly. She is the third endangered gorilla to be born into the family, the first of which was in 1997 (before the park opening) and the second in 1999. And just before that, in February, a male white-cheeked gibbon was born. The first birth at the park was an African Kudu antelope.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom also trains its animals from a young age to be part of their own medical care; pheasants are trained to stand on scales for weight monitoring, Galapagos tortoises are trained to stand on a ramp (keepers can check the underside of their shells), and so on.
Through habitat design and new scents and spices around their habitats, animals are encouraged to be curious and explore their environment.
The park closes earlier than other Disney theme parks, due to concern for the animals’ well-being. It does not have a fireworks show and animals are kept on a strict schedule- even when the park closes later, animals are brought back into their habitats.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom successfully blends wildlife and rollercoaster rides as the 5th most visited theme park in the united states (and 8th most visited in the world).
