Animal Kingdom Residents Celebrate 50th
Throughout the 50th anniversary festivities yesterday, the animal residents of Disney’s Animal Kingdom also celebrated the Walt Disney World Resort’s important milestone. Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team shared the clever enrichments throughout the day on their social media.
“Keepers surprised the rhinos with their very own EARidescent castle!” to play with throughout the day, according to one post. The clearly intrigued new baby rhino seemed particularly delighted. Residents of the savannas at Disney’s Animal Kingom Lodge also joined in the festivities with vegetable-based enrichment marking the occasion.
Image Credit: Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment
From “50” to “magical,” the zebra, Ankole cattle, and even hornbills received “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” treats.
Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment
Four-year-old elephant Stella showed the excitement of a college football team running through the tunnel to start of game day festivities as she burst through a 50th anniversary display, sounding a jubliant call in the process.
Ectotherm Anniversary Enrichment
Even some of the Animal Kingdom’s smaller members received a moment in the social media spotlight yesterday. In a rare appearance, the python and scorpions munched on leaves with anniversary designs.
Image Credit: Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment
The spider tortoise and a very hairy arachnid also featured in the posts.
Image: Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment
Not all of the enrichment went green. The Asian small-clawed otters cooled off from the balmy Floridian sun with an icy treat, and the meerkats munched on hay bails organized to celebrate the resort’s five decades of magic-making.
Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment
As the keepers pointed out in their final post of the day, “the festivities have only just begun, so be sure to visit the animals at Walt Disney World during the 50th Anniversary Celebration.” We certainly can’t wait to see more of how the animals participate in all of the 18 months of festivities.
