Storks and Tortoise Removed From DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Shannen Ace

Two large storks in a rocky enclosure, one standing and the other preening, grace Disney's Animal Kingdom near a small pond, creating a serene scene amidst DinoLand U.S.A.'s bustling energy.

Storks and Tortoise Removed From DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Ahead of the land’s closure and reimagining, Disney has removed the final real animals from DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

DinoLand Animals Move Out

A fenced-off zoo exhibit area with dense trees and informational signs, set on a concrete pathway.

The Abdim’s Storks and Asian Brown Tortoise are gone from their enclosures. Fences, signs, and foliage all remain, indicating the move was fairly recent.

Sign describing the Asian Brown Tortoise with images and a map, noting its endangered status in Asia.

There was one Asian Brown Tortoise. We don’t know where the tortoise has gone now — it might just be living backstage until it can move into a new enclosure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The sign reads that the species is the largest tortoise in Asian, sometimes growing more than 18 inches long. The tortoise’s range includes Borneo, Sumatra, Eastern India, South Vietnam, and Malaysia.

A journal page with conservation notes on animal feeding, including details on grass, apples, bananas, and mushrooms. A pink sticky note mentions recent conservation projects.

The signs indicate the exhibits are presented by The Dino Institute. This sign features notes ostensibly by characters named Jenny H. and Dr. Woo. The doctor’s note directs Jenny to www.disney.com/conservation to learn about the Disney Conservation Fund.

A sign about Abdim's stork, featuring an image of the bird on a branch and a map highlighting its range. Surrounded by greenery.

There were two Abdim’s Storks, which have been relocated within Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The sign notes that the Abdim’s Stork is one of the smallest breeds of stork but that they live in large colonies. One flock might have as many as 10,000 birds.

Informative sign about Ciconia abdimii, showing a map with the bird's range in East Africa, from Ethiopia to South Africa. Describes local nickname "grasshopper birds" due to feeding habits.

Their range is East Africa, from Ethiopia south to South Africa. Abdim’s Storks are also known as “grasshopper birds” because they feast on the insects.

In one corner of the enclosure, we saw an empty nest — but don’t worry. The storks are safe and sound, now living by the Tree of Life.

Two large storks in a rocky enclosure, one standing and the other preening, grace Disney's Animal Kingdom near a small pond, creating a serene scene amidst DinoLand U.S.A.'s bustling energy.

The storks are in an enclosure at the back of the Tree of Life, on the right after the tamarins. This enclosure hadn’t been used for some time and was empty before the storks moved in.

Though a sign reads “Out Foraging, Back Soon,” the storks were out and about when we visited. The sign just hasn’t been updated to include info about the species.

Empty animal enclosure with rock formations, metal railing, and surrounding trees under a cloudy sky.

Marley the American Crocodile was moved from DinoLand in October. His pool was drained of water and signage was removed. Marley was reportedly rehomed to a zoo.

DinoLand will be replaced with a new Tropical Americas land featuring the village of Pueblo Esperanza. DINOSAUR will become an Indiana Jones ride. The land will also include a new “Encanto” attraction and carousel. The Indiana Jones and “Encanto” attractions are set to open in 2027. Disney has filed several permits for demolition in and around DinoLand. The first phase of DinoLand closures is this month. DINOSAUR is set to stay open through 2025.

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