Disney sponsored facilities and Disney Animal Care experts play a role in the recovery of many animals around the world. But this time the animal needing help was right in Disney’s back yard. After a four-month rehabilitation at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey,… Read More »Disney VoluntEARS and Audubon of Florida Flock Together for Osprey Recovery
Coral Reefs are quite literally living breathing creatures that play a crucial role in a healthy marine life for the Earth’s oceans. So protecting those reefs was a great project for DisneyNature to take on as part of their commitment to conservation with the release… Read More »DisneyNature’s “Oceans” fulfills pledge to help Coral Reefs
Now that SeaWorld is no longer a part of the Anheuser Busch family of theme parks, they really need to focus on exactly what it is they’re selling. Under Anheuser Busch no matter what the parks did, they were still a giant advertisement for beer.… Read More »What SeaWorld Sells These Days
The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund holds a place near to my heart. It carries on the work of Walt Disney by preserving the outdoors, ecosystems, and animals that were so close to Disney’s success with the True Life Adventure series. In recent years, Disney has… Read More »Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund announces 2010 Grants
Today on CNN SeaWorld head vet Dr. Christopher Dold addressed the issue of the Gulf oil spill. Dr. Dold presented three animals native to the Gulf area, a pelican, alligator, and a spoonbill, explaining exactly how these species will be affected by the disaster —… Read More »SeaWorld ready to step in to help animals in Oil Spill
Conservation is a large part of the show and mission at Walt Disney World. This April Disney hopes to expand Earth Day into Earth Month and encourages everyone to “Make A Wave, Make A Pledge” and take action to help our oceans and sea life.… Read More »This Earth Day, Make a Wave, Make A Pledge
Got yet another cute baby from the baby factory that is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Reports started last week that there was a baby gorilla out in the park. Turns out the as yet unnamed infant was born February 19th. Here’s the first official photo:
Now guests who visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom are getting a special treat along the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail where they can get a rare glimpse of the newborn gorilla. The critically endangered western lowland gorilla, whose gender is still unknown, is doing well and has already become an integral member of the gorilla family group which includes first-time mother, Kashata, father Gino, and two other females, Benga and Hope.
Members of the primate team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are encouraged by Kashata’s natural instincts at motherhood. First-time mothers often experience difficulty knowing the right things to do. They must learn to properly hold the baby and adapt to a demanding nursing schedule. Kashata has been a model mother from the moment the baby was born, said Matt Hohne, animal operations director for Disney’s Animal Programs. “She immediately knew how to properly hold the baby and her nursing skills have been exemplary.”
Since Kashata has been holding the baby close to her body, animal keepers have yet to determine the baby’s gender. Most gorilla mothers keep their offspring close for several months while the baby adjusts to the environment. In addition, gorilla babies typically nurse for approximately 12 months and may be weaned between the ages of four and five.
The new baby is the third gorilla born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan which manages genetic diversity among species through detailed records of individual animals. Disney’s Animal Kingdom also participates in AZA Species Survival Plans for several other animals, including elephants, cotton-top tamarins and okapi. The first gorilla birth occurred in 1997 before Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened, and the second baby arrived in 1999.
Congrats to everyone on Disney’s animal care team. More gorilla facts below the jump:
Read More »Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Endangered Gorilla baby
The stork has brought another healthy baby white rhino to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park welcomed the female calf to the family last week on Sunday, Jan. 17. Kendi, an 11-year-old white rhino, gave birth to her third baby after the 16-month gestation period. The… Read More »Animal Kingdom Welcomes Endangered White Rhino to Growing Herd