Meet Obie, Newest Baby at Walt Disney World’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Via DisneyTips.com

A new baby has arrived at Walt Disney World! Celebrate with us the arrival of a Shetland pony born on January 7 at Disney’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch located in Disney’s Fort Wilderness. 

As shared via Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page: “Here’s a first look at the newest baby at Walt Disney World, courtesy of our ranch hand friends at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Meet Obie, a Shetland pony born to mom Lady on Jan. 7. He’s less than a week old, but the ranch team said he’s already keeping pace with his mom and nearly ready to make his onstage debut.

Dr. Mark takes to Instagram to share more details at @DrMarkAtDisney: “Guess what new baby just galloped into the world? Wishing a warm welcome to our newest addition, Obie! Obie joins a herd of 28 other ponies @WaltDisneyWorld’s Tri-Circle D Ranch. This little guy is a quick learner – standing and nursing within just one hour of his birth! He loves chasing his mom, Lady, around the field, running circles around her while she grazes on the green grass. Did You Know? Obie is actually the brother of Lilly, who was our first Cinderella pony born at the ranch? In a few years, he will join his sister and father on Cinderella’s pumpkin coach in parades and @Disney’s Fairytale Weddings throughout the resort.”

First Look at Disney’s Animal Kingdom New Baby Boy Rhino

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Disney announced last week that Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed the birth of an endangered white male rhino calf. Now, DisneyParksBlog shares photos of the cutie and a video below!

Baby Rhino born at Disney's Animal Kingdom

The video below features endearing moments as mother Kendi bonds with her playful, yet-to-be-named baby. He is curious, loves his afternoon naps and has started sparring with his mom. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes New Babies

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks

Ready for a dose of cuteness? Well, we have baby animal news to share from Disney’s Animal Kingdom… and pretty much nothing is cuter than a baby animal! From tiny insects and chirping birds to zebras, nyala and steenbok on the savanna, Disney welcomes so many babies to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.

Disney Parks took to Twitter to share: “From tiny insects and chirping birds to zebras and steenbok, we are thrilled to welcome so many babies to the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge family. Follow Dr. Mark Penning on Instagram (DrMarkAtDisney) for more updates on #DisneyAnimals!”

Check out the short video below:

New Babirusa Piglet Born At Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has shared some exciting news! Their first ever birth of a babirusa piglet has just happened… and it’s a girl! Welcome to the world sweet Kirana. Check out the details below as shared by Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks. Is it weird that we want one?! So cute!

We are squealing with delight! Disney’s Animal Kingdom is celebrating a first for the park: the birth of a babirusa piglet. And, it’s a girl! Our Disney animal care team has chosen to name her Kirana, which translates to “sunbeam” in Indonesian. 

Babirusas are part of the hog family, native to the swamps and rainforests of the Indonesian Islands. They’re known for their unique snouts and magnificent tusks that can grow up to almost 17 inches! Close relatives of the babirusa also live at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, such as the warthogs on Kilimanjaro Safaris and the KuneKune pigs at Affection Section. 

This birth is another success story for our dedicated team of Disney animal care experts, as parents Betty and Mentari were chosen to breed through the Species Survival Plan (SSP) overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The SSP assures responsible breeding for endangered species, such as the babirusa pigs and Asha, the Hartmann’s Mountain zebra foal recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  

Over the last 15 years, Disney animal care experts partnered with reproductive biologists and the SSP to “crack the code” on breeding a babirusa pair. The piglet is making an important contribution toward the worldwide conservation and understanding of the species, which will help ensure a future generation for these vulnerable animals. 

The Disney Conservation Fund has supported projects in Africa for more than 20 years to inspire grassroots conservation and improve livelihoods. These projects can help protect Africa’s amazing wildlife and benefit the hogs – such as babirusas – living in these habitats. 

The piglet is healthy and bonding with mom inside their den at the park. To learn more about hogs, visit DisneyAnimals.com.