In honor of Earth Month, Disney shared a behind-the-scenes look at how Cast Members care for the animals at Animal Kingdom in big and small ways.

Animal Care and Conservation Work at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Since Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, the park has been accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, and much of Disney’s expertise in caring for animals happens behind the scenes.

Over at the Animal Nutrition Center, Cast Members prepare and deliver more than 10,000 pounds of food every day to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. When Tucker the giraffe recently celebrated his first birthday, Cast Members prepared a special cake for him made out of branches and vegetables.

Animals are monitored around the clock and are supported with regular check-ins. Disney uses a relationship-based approach to build deep trust between Cast Members and animals, which results in behaviors like elephants positioning their own feet for veterinary radiographs or the shy okapi voluntarily participating in their own care.

Disney Cast Members also participate with conservation partners across the world, such as the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles and the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Park experiences like the Wilderness Explorers program also invite children to learn about the importance of animals and nature, inspiring the next generation of conservationists. In addition, the Disney Conservation Fund has invested $141 million in their more than 30 years of philanthropy impact.

Whether through everyday veterinary check-ins to global partnerships, Disney Cast Members are deeply committed to animal care and conservation.

Will you be celebrating Earth Month by visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know on social media.

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