Disney Wilderness Preserve Celebrates 20th Anniversary – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 17, 2013 - The Nature Conservancy is hosting an open house April 27 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Disney Wilderness Preserve.  Scientists, Florida cowboys, wildlife biologists and environmental educators will entertain visitors with fun outdoor activities that demonstrate nature at work. Located south of Walt Disney World Resort, the preserve sits ...

Disney Cast Members Teach Bird Watching To Local Girl Scouts – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Jan. 29, 2013 – Members of four Central Florida Girl Scout troops recently joined Cast Members at the 3rd annual Walt Disney World Holiday Bird Count, organized by Disney’s Animal Programs. The day-long event is designed for “birders” of all skill levels. Disney Cast Members with an affinity for bird watching taught the ...

Disney’s Animal Programs Works with New England Aquarium to Aid Sea Turtles – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 28, 2012— The Seas with Nemo & Friends welcomed some new swimmers recently, with the addition of eight Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles suffering from hypothermia after a recent cold snap in New England. As a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, Walt Disney World Resort is one of several organizations working with the ...

Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Helps Rescue Animals from Hurricane Sandy and Other Disasters – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Dec. 5, 2012—The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) recently provided $250,000 to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), whose animal rescue team was among the first to help save hundreds of animals after Hurricane Sandy. In addition to providing immediate supplies to help equip a disaster response trailer, the DWCF ...

Disney Animal Keeper Combines Art and Care to Help Endangered Rhino Species – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Oct. 5, 2012 – As a rhinoceros keeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Chad Harmon tends to some of the toughest, strongest animals on the planet.  He recently channeled that passion into an arts auction that raised approximately $6000 for the endangered animals. For the Horns to Heroes project, Harmon used one ...

Vultures Serve as Janitors of the Environment – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Sept. 5, 2012— While vultures may not be known as king of the jungle, they do play an important role as janitors of the environment. Through their scavenging habits, these endangered birds help maintain a balance in the eco-system. Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom were able to learn about these often ...

White Rhino Gives Mother’s Day Special Meaning at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., May 9, 2012 – Mother’s Day may be a little more memorable this year for a Disney “mom” that recently gave birth to a white rhino calf at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After a 16-month gestation period, Kendi delivered her fourth calf Friday, May 4. The healthy male, which has not yet ...

Disney Leads Team to South Africa on Special Mission: Elephant Sterilizations – LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., April 20, 2011 – A two-week visit to South Africa requires thoughtful planning, a good book for the long flights and efficient packing skills. Now imagine that your trip includes a vasectomy – for an elephant. Better not forget anything. As they prepare to leave from Orlando International Airport April 22, ...

Unique ‘Wild Africa Trek’ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Brings Thrills of Faraway Adventure to Walt Disney World Resort – BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Navigating a rickety footbridge suspended over a river chasm can be a white-knuckle experience.  For explorers on an all-new Disney adventure, what lurks below their bridge may quicken their step to get to the other side: crocodiles! A ravine of menacing-looking crocs, pools of hippos, bushwalks along untracked terrain and other ...

Thrills of Africa Come to Walt Disney World Resort – New ‘Wild Africa Trek’ Takes Guests on Adventure into Most-Remote Reaches of Disney’s Animal Kingdom LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A ravine of menacing-looking crocs, pools of hippos, bushwalks along untracked terrain and other thrills await guests on Wild Africa Trek, a unique wildlife experience scheduled to launch Jan. 16, 2011, into the deepest, most-remote ...