What a special day for Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Not only is it the first day to view the premiere of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom”, but Disney is also celebrating a new addition to their giraffe family! Check out the details and video below as shared by DisneyParksBlog:
To say we’re excited at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is putting it lightly – we are over the moon ecstatic about the premiere of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” from National Geographic, streaming today on Disney+. I know you are going to love getting to see the exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at what goes into caring for the 5,000+ animals who call Walt Disney World Resort home. What better way to celebrate a new show…than with a new addition.
I’m thrilled to share news that in the wee hours of Tuesday, Sept. 22, a baby female Masai giraffe was born backstage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Weighing in at 156 pounds, she is healthy, actively nursing and was strong and feisty during her neonatal exam. Our girl, yet-to-be-named, is already showing she has a close bond with her mom Mara. The pair will continue to stay backstage until baby meets all her developmental milestones. We expect her to join the herd on the savanna in the coming weeks.
Did you know yesterday, September 22, was World Rhino Day?! That’s right! Yesterday, we celebrated rhinoceros in a special way as Disney shared the exciting news that currently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom they have not one, not two, but THREE pregnant rhinos! Check out the details below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.
As shared by Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks: I’m always struck with awe at the sheer power and size of rhinos, so of course, I couldn’t let World Rhino Day go by without taking time to appreciate and promote the protection of this magnificent endangered species. Did you know rhinoceros are the world’s second largest land animal and among the most endangered animals in the wild due to poaching?
Today, I’m thrilled to share that Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has big news for the future of rhinos – we have three pregnant white rhinoceros in our care. It’s the first time we have ever had this many horns and hooves on the horizon.
Kendi, who was the first rhino born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 1999, is the first due, with a calf expected to be born sometime this October.
Jao is expected to give birth sometime in fall 2021.
And rounding out the “crash,” which is what we call a rhino herd, Lola is due in fall / winter 2021.
Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko, one of our veterinarians, has been along on the journey with our moms-to-be. Through routine checkups and ultrasounds, Dr. Natalie has worked closely with the rhino keeper team to keep a close eye on how the pregnancies are progressing. She may be one of the only people in the world that has seen a rhino at 2 centimeters.
Planning for a rhino birth requires time and patience for all involved. Rhinos have a long gestation period, approximately 16-18 months, so each of these births are roughly 1 ½ years in the making. Add to that the time that goes into research to pave the way. All three rhinos were chosen to breed through Species Survival Plans (SSPs), which are overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to ensure the responsible breeding of endangered species. Dugan, the herd’s bull, is the father of all three calves.
Our animal care team is eager and ready to help welcome these rhino calves upon their arrivals. Once born, they acclimate quickly – rhino calves weigh between 88-140 lbs. at birth and can stand up within the first hour. They stay very close to their mothers for the first three years of their life.
We are so excited about these new additions coming soon to our rhino family and we’ll continue to keep you updated here and at @drmarkatdisney on Instagram and @DisneyASE on Facebook.
Want to learn more about how Disney cares for rhinos and helps protect these species in the wild? In addition to our social channels, check out “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” streaming on Disney+ starting September 25.
Walt Disney World has updated their website to show parks hours through December 5, 2020. As you plan your holiday vacation to the most magic place on earth, here are the posted park hours. You’ll also note there are a couple of dates that Disney has an extra hour listed.
Magic Kingdom: Park hours for Magic Kingdom are currently 9am – 6pm. Beginning November 6, park hours have been updated to show Magic Kingdom will remain open for one additional hour – making the park hours 9am – 7pm. These 9am – 7pm hours will continue through December 5.
EPCOT: Park hours for EPCOT are currently 11am – 7pm with a few changes. September 26, October 3, and October 10 are open one extra hour: 11am – 8pm. Beginning November 27, EPCOT hours shift one hour back making the park hours 12pm – 8pm. These 12pm – 8pm hours will continue through December 5.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: As of right now, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has the same parks hours through December 5 which is 9am – 5pm. There are however a couple of changes. September 26 & 27 are open one additional hour: 9am – 6pm.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: As of right now, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has the same parks hours through December 5 which is 10am – 7pm.
Calling all animal lovers, there’s a new Disney Parks exclusive Loungefly backpack perfect for you!
Featuring an allover sequined leopard print, this backpack has two adorable Minnie Mouse ears and a black bow centered above the Disney Parks and Loungefly emblem. There’s a large zippered compartment, along with a smaller zippered pocket on the front of the bag, giving you plenty of room to store your park essentials.
“The One and Only Ivan” is now available on Disney+! Did you know Disney’s Animal Kingdom inspired “The One and Only Ivan” filmmakers? Check out the details and photos as shared below by Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks.
Gorillas have always held a special place in my heart, so I’ve been deeply touched by the award-winning book “The One and Only Ivan,” which tells the true story of Ivan, a 400-pound silverback gorilla who was raised by humans for the first 27 years of his life in a communal habitat in a suburban shopping mall. While there were several other animals there, such as Stella the elephant and Bob the dog, there were no other gorillas. Ivan did not know what it was like to be a part of a gorilla family until he moved to Zoo Atlanta, a fellow Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution that oversaw giving him the best possible care.
“The One and Only Ivan” has been adapted for the screen premieres August 21, streaming exclusively on Disney+
You may see some familiar sights from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in the film, as the park served as an inspiration to the filmmakers. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, with its lush greenery, was used as a model for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Filmmakers also spent time studying the behaviors of our western lowland gorilla troops, learning about their family dynamics and observing how they forage for food, play with one another, and sleep. We are very fortunate to have an exceptionally dedicated team of animal care experts who invest a lot of time in building trust with these gorillas, and all the 5,000+ animals in our care, which allows us to work closely with them.
In fact, our work with gorillas goes far beyond caring for the troops at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through the Disney Conservation Fund, we support the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE), the world’s only sanctuary for orphaned Grauer’s gorillas, a critically endangered species. GRACE provides the sort of storybook ending that Ivan dreams about in the movie. Rescued gorillas join an adoptive gorilla family and get to live together in spacious natural forest enclosures. Our animal care team members provide resources and share their expertise with staff at GRACE, which has been imperative in saving the lives of gorillas and helping ensure they thrive.
I’m very proud of the work our teams have done to support “The One and Only Ivan” and their dedication to ensuring gorillas are well cared for each and every day. I encourage you to watch this heartwarming story on Disney+, and be sure to check out our free downloadable activity packet with all you need to know about the care and conservation of these wonderful animals.
