The Orlando Sentinel has a short piece running on the adventures, or lack their of, of the giant Yeti mechanical beast at the end of Expedition Everest roller coaster at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The gist is that while Disney won’t disclose their plans, Disney fans… Read More »Expedition Everest’s Yeti Troubles Explored
Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park has announced it is developing a new, immersive experience that will take small groups of guests on personalized, guided treks through some of the savannah areas of the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris Expedition attraction. During these excursions, guests will be able… Read More »Disney’s Animal Kingdom to test Guided Trek through Savannah
Designer Thom Shillinger worked at Walt Disney Imagineering during an exciting time. Unfortunately most of the excitement came from layoffs and projects that were blue-sky and never greenlit. One of those projects was known ans Project Meadow and Shillinger has put up some of his… Read More »Disney’s Unbuilt Steampunk Roller Coaster
The elephant herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom just expanded – by about 288 pounds. That amount represents the weight of the newborn female calf born late last night. Twenty-two-year-old Donna gave birth to the herd’s fifth offspring after gaining more than 400 pounds during a… Read More »Baby Elephant added to herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
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
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
With the arrival of spring and rising temperatures, Disney’s Animal Programs returned an endangered green sea turtle to its natural habitat this morning near the Canaveral National Seashore after a successful two-month rehabilitation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The healthy, 10-pound patient is one of 14… Read More »Sea Turtle returns to wild thanks to Disney’s Animal Program
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