A very popular spot on the Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the tiger viewing area. Guests really enjoy watching these magnificent animals, the largest of all wild cats, and asking questions of our Cast Members as they share “tiger tales.” For example, did you know that a tiger’s stripes help it hunt? The stripes break up their outline, helping tigers to remain undetected as they close in on their prey in their forest homes. And not only is a tiger’s fur striped, but its skin underneath is too.
Unlike some other cats, tigers seem to enjoy water and can swim well. They use rivers and lakes to seek relief from the heat and to catch fish.
Tigers once were found throughout central and southern Asia and as far west as eastern Turkey. Human population growth has dramatically reduced tigers’ habitat. As happens throughout the world, animals and people compete for space. Protecting the forests for tigers and other wildlife is very important. One way you can help is by purchasing products made of sustainable wood or bamboo.
The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) has contributed more than $167,000 to 11 projects supporting tiger conservation. In 2010, for example, DWCF awarded a grant to the Wildlife Conservation Society to assist in outfitting and training Thai rangers to patrol critical tiger habitat along the Thailand-Myanmar border, one of the largest protected areas in Southeast Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tiger fun facts:
- During the day tigers can see about as well as humans, but their night vision is six times more powerful.
- Like their eyesight, tigers’ hearing is very sensitive. Their ears turn independently of each other and in an arc up to 180 degrees, allowing them to pick up sounds from different directions.
- Tigers use their whiskers as “feelers,” helping these large cats to navigate their way through dark and heavily wooded areas.
Comments
I used to work on the Maharajah Jungle Trek and I always loved seeing the tigers. I really enjoyed learning about them and observing them everyday. It was great to be able to share my knowledge with Disney guests. Thanks for featuring them!!
Awesome. Can’t wait to check these guy out again in May!
I love the tiger habitat at AK and always stop there when we visit the park. i am a cat lover anyways and watching these beautiful creatures play and swim and just lay about is very fascinating and entertaining to me. thanks for spot lighting them :>
I used to work at the Maharajah Jungle Trek, as well! I was working on Christmas Day (2004) and found it a shame that we had only a handful of families come visit on Christmas. I’m really glad for blogs like this that highlight how amazing the Jungle Trek really is!!!
Great blog post! I love the Maharajah Jungle Trek and could spend hours watching the tigers. They are amazing animals!
My 5-year old daughter asked Jasmine in Epcot where Rajah was, and Jasmine told her he was probably with the other tigers at the Maharajah Jungle Trek. As our party of 9 was leaving AK my daughter reminded me that we hadn’t seen Rajah yet so she and I went back in the rain. The cast member provided great assistance in helping us determine which one was Rajah. My daughter was soooooo excited! We had a wonderful time exploring the entire trail. Thank you Disney!
One of my favorite places to be. Could stay there for a long time. I have some great shots of the tigers too.
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