Wildlife Wednesdays: Leap to Help Frogs on Leap Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
posted on February 22nd, 2012 by Kathy Lehnhardt, Curator of Education, Disney’s Animal Programs
While guests are celebrating One More Disney Day at Magic Kingdom Park here in Florida and Disneyland park in California, some of our Walt Disney World Resort guests will be leaping, hopping and jumping at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during a Leap Day event aimed at helping guests learn more about frogs, toads and other amphibians.
During their visit to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, children and families can make toad abodes (special homes for frogs and toads) for their backyards, try leaping like a frog, listen to frog calls, examine amphibian adaptations, and meet some cool amphibians and their keepers on the Conservation Station stage.
Guests also can learn about the critically endangered Puerto Rican crested toad, which we are raising at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and releasing in their native habitat to re-populate the species in an area where these toads once thrived but are now considered extinct.
Did you know that, according to some estimates, as many as one-third of the known amphibian species are threatened by extinction because of loss of habitat, climate change, pollution and disease? The good news is that every one of us can help amphibians leap ahead of extinction. Here’s how:
- Invite a bug-zapping amphibian into your backyard by placing an overturned pot (toad abode) as a home
- Use fewer chemical pesticides on your lawn to keep amphibians healthy
- Build a pond, plant native shrubs, and leave leaf litter and logs in your yard to create a habitat for frogs
- Plan a family outing to a local pond to hear different species of frogs sing their love songs to one another
- Find natural alternatives to household chemicals so these toxins don’t end up in amphibian habitats
- Take part in a local pond or stream clean-up to ensure that native amphibians will have a clean home
- Find books on frogs to discover why they sing loudly, hear well and stay up late
Beyond their beautiful chorus, frogs also provide a free pest-control service. Frogs eat billions of harmful insects annually, including mosquitoes and their larvae. Frogs also provide valuable scientific and medical benefits to humans. The skin of amphibians contains substances that can protect them from some microbes and viruses, which can offer possible medical cures for a variety of human diseases, including AIDS.
Upcoming 2012 wildlife conservation events at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (as always, dates subject to change):
- Apr. 13-22: Party for the Planet for Earth Day
- May 12: International Migratory Bird Day
- July 18: Pollinator Day
- August: Cotton-Top Tamarin Month
- Sept. 5: International Vulture Awareness Day
- Sept. 26: Elephant Awareness Day
- Oct. 31: Bat Day
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Wildlife Wednesdays: Can You Tell a Zebra By Its Stripes? Give It a Try at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
posted on February 15th, 2012 by Matt Hohne, Animal Operations Director, Disney’s Animal Programs
Last Friday, Jennifer Fickley-Baker shared the news on Disney Parks Blog about the changes, scheduled to be completed this fall, on the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These changes will include creating an additional savannah with natural habitats for animals, including zebras.
Given that, we thought it would be fun and informative to take a look at the kind of zebras that guests can see at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Can you tell which kind of zebra is which by its stripes? The answer is yes, but it takes a bit of practice.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with the creation of the new habitat, guests will have more of an opportunity to see Grant’s zebras. In the wild, Grant’s zebras can be found on the plains of eastern and southern Africa. This zebra’s stripes are broader than those of other kinds of zebras and extend around the belly and down the legs to the hooves.
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, guests also can see Grant’s zebras, but, in addition, they have the opportunity to see Hartmann’s mountain zebras. Native to southern Africa, Hartmann’s mountain zebras have black or dark brown stripes with an off-white, creamy color between them. The stripes on this zebra’s sides do not meet on the belly.
More about those stripes: There are many theories concerning the major function of the stripes on a zebra. Most scientists believe that the zebra’s stripes may serve to break up the outline of the zebra’s body in the herd and provide some camouflage when the zebra is standing in tall grass. And no two individual zebras look exactly alike.
Like zebras, many local species of wildlife are threatened by loss of habitat. Creating natural habitats for the wildlife in your own backyard is a great way to help. You can do this by planting native trees, shrubs and flowers, which serve as food sources and nesting sites for the wildlife near you.
Kilimanjaro Safaris To Boost Zebra Presence, Add Savannah Space at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
posted on February 10th, 2012 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Today I’m happy to give you an update on one of my favorite attractions – Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
I’ve always loved Kilimanjaro Safaris because you see so many amazing animals, but even more so, I love hearing the reactions of the first-timers around me; guests who can’t believe they’re seeing so many beautiful animals together in one place!
Beginning this spring, the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction will undergo some changes to give guests an additional opportunity to see more of their favorite animals, specifically zebra. To do so, Walt Disney Imagineering will make some creative changes to the last scene in the attraction by removing the Audio-Animatronics “Little Red” elephant and related set pieces. This area will then be reconstructed as savannah space and feature a new watering hole for live animals.
This enhancement is scheduled to begin this spring, and be completed by fall 2012. And don’t worry, the attraction will remain operational during the adjustment.
Wildlife Wednesdays: Animal Sweethearts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom—White-Cheeked Gibbons
posted on February 8th, 2012 by Matt Hohne, Animal Operations Director, Disney’s Animal Programs
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we thought it would be fun to talk about an animal species where the male and female share a special bond. The vast majority of animal species do not maintain monogamous relationships. Gibbons, including the white-cheeked gibbon, are one of the few species that do. Guests can see white-cheeked gibbons at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Asia near the entrance to the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Gibbons live in small monogamous families, consisting of a mated pair with their offspring. They are one of the few apes where the adult female is the dominant animal in the group. Grooming and playing are important social activities for gibbons, and the couples sing together. Adult pairs sing to advertise the establishment of their territory or to warn off other family groups. The gibbons’ duets help to strengthen pair bonds, and pairs can be identified by their particular song. Single adults will sing to attract a mate.
White-Cheeked Gibbon Fun Facts:
- You may think you are looking at two different kinds of apes when you see the gold and the black gibbons, but you are actually seeing a female and a male. The babies are born gold to blend in with mom and then change color around one year old. The males stay black, but the females will change back to the gold color when they are sexually mature.
- Gibbons produce offspring about once every two to three years after seven to eight months of gestation. Generally, females give birth to a single offspring. Infants have the ability to cling to their mothers immediately after birth, which allows females complete range of motion while locomoting with their offspring.
- White-cheeked gibbons can be found in the canopy of tropical rainforests of Laos, Vietnam and southern China.
- Gibbons spend their whole lives in the canopy of the forests. You can help their forest homes by purchasing shade-grown coffee.
Wildlife Wednesdays: Bird is the Word for Cast Members During 2nd Annual Walt Disney World Resort Bird Count
posted on January 25th, 2012 by Anne Savage, Ph.D., Conservation Director, Disney’s Animal Programs
Last Saturday, I got to spend the day doing one of the things I like best—outside enjoying nature right here at the Walt Disney World Resort. I participated, along with my fellow Disney cast members and their families and friends, in the 2nd annual holiday bird count at the Walt Disney World Resort and surrounding area organized by the Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team.
We counted an amazing 115 different bird species and over 22,000 individual birds! We were so excited to spot some rare bird species such as Florida scrub-jays, peregrine falcons, roseate spoonbills, red-headed woodpeckers, limpkins, buffleheads, and 17 bald eagles! But the biggest treat was seeing more than 5,500 American robins as they winter in Florida before they migrate north in the spring.
Guests had fun joining in, stopping – for example – to view a magnificent hawk perched high in World Showcase at Epcot, and lingering in the evening as they were leaving Disney’s Animal Kingdom to join us in watching white ibises, little blue herons, snowy egrets, and a variety of other birds return to an area near the Oasis to roost for the night.
See how many birds you can count in this video from the event!
Walt Disney World Resort Holiday Bird Count Fun Facts:
- The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has provided more than $5.7 million to support bird conservation around the world.
- Our holiday bird count is modeled after the Audubon Christmas bird count, which began in 1900.
- Data collected in bird counts from year to year allows scientists to follow trends in bird populations and abundance over time. These trends help scientists focus their conservation efforts in key bird areas.
- Nearly one-third of the Walt Disney World Resort has been set aside as a dedicated wildlife conservation area.
- An abundance of birds make their home in Florida year-round, and even more birds are here during the winter as the migrate from the north to Florida and beyond. You can find out more at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on May 12 as we celebrate International Migratory Bird Day.
- We can help birds and other wildlife by observing them from a safe distance and not feeding them “human” food, which is unhealthy for them.
Exploring Walt Disney World Resort VIP-Style on a Disney Cruise Line Vacation
posted on January 20th, 2012 by Arnaldo Zanonato, Port Adventures Manager
Hi Disney Parks Blog fans! I’m Arnaldo Zanonato, better known as Arny, Port Adventures Manager and the newest Disney Parks Blog author for Disney Cruise Line. With all of our new itineraries and homeports this year, we’ll be introducing plenty of exciting new Port Adventures for Disney Cruise Line guests, and I’m excited to give you a sneak peek at some of my favorites.
This summer the Disney Magic will set sail on 8-night voyages from New York to the Bahamas. The cruise includes a full day stop in Port Canaveral, Florida, with roundtrip transportation and a ticket to nearby Walt Disney World Resort, giving guests a chance to visit all four theme parks!
Because it is impossible to experience all that the resort has to offer in one day, we worked closely with the Walt Disney World VIP Tour Services to develop day tours that would help our guests to see some of the major attractions across all theme parks. The result? Check it out:
Best of Walt Disney World Resort for Young Families, a VIP Tour – Created with the young members of the family in mind, this VIP tour will take guests to favorite attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom Park and Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Thrills of Walt Disney World Resort, a VIP Tour – Are you a thrill seeker? Then this VIP tour is for you! Experience the most thrilling attractions, both classic and new, like Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom Park!
During both VIP tours guests will have access to Disney’s FASTPASS lines, always accompanied by a VIP Tour Guide, an expert to help maximize your day at this magical place! Now if you had one day only at Walt Disney World Resort, what attractions would be on your list?
Wildlife Wednesdays: Expert Nutrition Team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Helps Animals to Stick to Their Diet
posted on January 11th, 2012 by Scott Terrell, DVM, DACVP, Animal Health Director, Disney’s Animal Programs
In last week’s Wildlife Wednesdays post, you heard from Matt Hohne that exercise plays an important role in keeping the animals in our care physically and mentally fit. Another important ingredient in the recipe is eating right — something that’s top of mind for many of us humans as we try to get the new year off to a good start.
For my first Disney Parks Blog post, I’d like to tell you a little bit about our Animal Nutrition Center. As Animal Health Director for Disney’s Animal Programs, I have the privilege of leading our Animal Nutrition Center team as well as our veterinary team.
Located backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Animal Nutrition Center creates specialized diets for more than 3,000 mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends. This adds up to more than four-and-half tons of food per day, not counting the natural vegetation that is eaten by some of our animals.
The animals in our care include insect eaters (insectivores), plant eaters (herbivores), meat eaters (carnivores) and those that eat both (omnivores). As a result, the nutrition center team prepares over 1,000 different diets daily. From the tiny newly hatched chicks that need to be hand raised to elephants weighing many thousands of pounds, each animal receives a diet specially formulated by our expert team to ensure optimal nutrition. And many food items are used as enrichment, spread throughout the animals’ habitats to encourage them to explore and exhibit natural behaviors.
The fruits and vegetables used at our nutrition center are the same high-quality foods served to guests in Disney restaurants. When guests visit the nutrition center on the Backstage Safari tour, they always comment on how fresh and tasty the apples, carrots, melons, corn and other fruits and vegetables look. Some guests might be tempted to stop for a snack. Of course, when it comes to the mealworms and crickets that are part of some of our animals’ diets, our guests happily agree that the food should go to the animals as intended.
On your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plan to visit the Animal Nutrition Center on the Backstage Safari tour or visit with an Animal Nutrition Center cast member at our window in Conservation Station. Here’s to good eating!
Sticking to Healthful Eating at Walt Disney World Resort
posted on January 10th, 2012 by Pam Brandon, Disney Parks Food Writer
It’s time for New Year’s resolutions and vacation can be the worst time to stick to healthful eating – but you can forego the funnel cakes, sundaes and oversized burgers and eat with delicious satisfaction in all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.
Here are some of our favorite healthful eats – tell us yours!
Magic Kingdom Park – The grilled salmon with fresh steamed broccoli and couscous at Columbia Harbor House is our go-to option when we’re in a hurry. With more time, we head to The Crystal Palace to fill up, not out, with edamame salad; shrimp, mango and black bean salad; turkey vegetable soup; beet salad; papaya and arugula salad; Thai curry mussels, and roast turkey.
Epcot – The options seem endless as we stroll World Showcase. Sushi in the Japan Pavilion; grilled veggie tacos at La Hacienda de San Angel in the Mexico Pavilion (ask for the vegetarian menu); the Chinese chicken salad at Nine Dragons Restaurant in the China Pavilion; the lemon chicken or kebabs at Restaurant Marrakesh in the Morocco Pavilion; the vegetable curry with lentil bread at Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room in the United Kingdom Pavilion, and the jumbo shrimp with cannellini beans, olive oil and lemon juice at Via Napoli in the Italy Pavilion.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – The grilled veggie sandwich at Backlot Express (forego the fries and eat the carrot sticks) for a quick lunch. For dinner, we head to Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano for a bowl of the whole-wheat campanelle pasta (shaped like a little bell) served with broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach and sweet onions.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – We head straight to Flame Tree Barbecue for the house-smoked half chicken (we splurge and eat the baked beans and corn muffin, but say no to the onion rings). For a bigger feast, it’s Tusker House Restaurant, where you can pick and choose from all sorts of salads; spiced tandoori tofu; couscous with roasted veggies; salmon, and curry chicken.
Our super-fast fave? Grab a piece of fresh fruit from one of the carts in the parks and join the guests who consume more than 20 TONS of fresh fruits and veggies each year at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort.
Happy New Year!
Brazil’s Costa Establishes New Streak at Dramatic Walt Disney World Marathon
posted on January 8th, 2012 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
Brazilian runner Fredison Costa did it again, holding off his heavily-favored countryman Adriano Bastos on Sunday to win his second straight Walt Disney World Marathon.
Costa waged a fierce battle with the 7-time champion Bastos throughout the 26.2 mile race through Disney’s four theme parks – Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios – before narrowly winning. Costa crossed the finish line in 2:19:01 – just 14 seconds ahead of Bastos (2:19:15).
Renee High of Virginia Beach, Va., was the first woman to cross the line. High, who is scheduled to run the marathon at the US Olympic Trials next week in Houston, completed the race Sunday in 2:48:33.
In all, runners from all 50 states and 60 other countries took part in a variety of Disney Marathon Weekend events, such as the Family Fiesta 5K, Kids Races and the Disney Half-Marathon in addition to the Disney Marathon. And once again more than 6,500 runners put themselves to the ultimate test – Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – by running the half-marathon on Saturday and the marathon on Sunday.
Registration for the 2013 Disney Marathon Weekend opens this spring. To register or for more information on all runDisney events, visit runDisney.com.
Wildlife Wednesdays: ‘Personal Trainers’ Help Goats and Sheep Stay Fit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
posted on January 4th, 2012 by Matt Hohne, Animal Operations Director, Disney’s Animal Programs
At this time of year thoughts inevitably turn to New Year’s resolutions and getting fit often is one of them. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, ensuring that all of our animals stay in great physical condition – through proper nutrition, training, enrichment and regular veterinary exams – is part of our commitment to excellence in animal care.
You can say our animals at Affection Section in Rafiki’s Planet Watch, including rare domestic breed sheep and goats, have their own personal trainers – our animal keepers – and personal exercise programs, including agility, which has them jumping through hoops and over bars, and navigating through weave poles and tunnels. All of which helps the animals stay fit and mentally stimulated.
It can be even more fun when the animals decide to “do it their way,” as you’ll see in this video clip shot by our animal care team during an agility training session. Enjoy!
