The death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in an encounter with a killer whale was a tragedy, but SeaWorld believes a Federal Judge has gone too far restraining trainers interaction with the whales. Not just too far, but made the decision based on faulty assumptions. Yesterday… Read More »SeaWorld Appeals Decision to keep Killer Whale Trainers out of Water
Once again Disney’s Animal Kingdom has wowed us with cuteness and impressed us with the power of conservation. A new 311 pound baby elephant joined the park’s African elephant herd on Wednesday. Disney’s team of animal care professionals play an important part in protecting this endangered species and a new calf will help sustain the elephant population.
This is the sixth elephant born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The others are:
Watching young animals frolic on the savannah is always one of the highlights of Kilimanjaro Safaris. So I predict a lot of rides in my future.
More details, baby elephant facts, and another photo below the jump:
Read More »Sixth Baby Elephant Brings Cuteness and Joy to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Dr. Jackie Ogden is the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment. That means she’s in charge of all animation programs across the Disney parks and resorts. As such she plays an important role in the conservation, education, and awareness… Read More »Disney’s Animal Care Chief elected VP at AZA
In 2006, Disney’s Animal Kingdom made a promise to the future by sending two white rhinos to Uganda to help re-establish a white rhino population that had been extinct in the region since 1982. That promise continued to pay off today with the birth of… Read More »Disney’s Conservation Efforts in Uganda Payoff with 2nd Rhino Birth
I grew up going to the Zoo in Portland, Oregon. It was known for it’s family of elephants and the excellent care they received. I remember meeting one researcher who had parked herself just outside the elephant observation area with some interesting recording devices. Turns… Read More »Disney Animal Researchers discover Elephant Warning Call
Via the AmericaBlog we get the story that the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary have named the baby born in June after President Obama since, like the president, he shares Kenyan and American roots. As I wrote about in July, the baby Rhino also has Disney roots… Read More »Ugandan Baby Rhino with Disney Roots Named After President Obama
Along with the new flying roller coaster Manta comes a huge new aquarium that features hundreds of sea critters from rays (as you would expect) to beautiful dragon fish (a relative of the seahorse). I got the chance to speak to SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquarium Curator Gary Violetta and ask him a few questions.
Violetta is a SeaWorld veteran of more than 24 years. As Curator he is responsible for the health and physical care of the more than 3,000 animals found in the Manta exhibit. He manages aquarium exhibits and attractions and is responsible for the care of all sharks, eels, stingrays, alligators, and fish throughout the park. A former curator of fishes at SeaWorld San Antonio, Violetta began his SeaWorld career in 1977. He is a member of the American Zoo and Aquarium association.
Click below the cut to listen to the embedded MP3 and see a few more photos from the exhibit:
Read More »Inside the new Manta Aquarium with SeaWorld’s Curator
I’m a big fan of Otters. Their playful ways make me laugh and frankly they’re cute. But these newborn Asian small-clawed otters set a new record for cuteness. SeaWorld Orlando animal trainers have their hands on four oh so cute baby Asian small-clawed otters. Born… Read More »SeaWorld Orlando Baby Otters