King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
They were by the rhinos, ostriches, and waterbucks
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park News from Disney's Animal Kingdom
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King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
Green tree Python was still there, these enclosures were built into the wall, and a single empty tree enclosure that was signed for spiny stick insect (Eurycantha calcarata)
King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
Sorry my bad
A further three Hartmann's Mountain Zebra foals have now been born, alongside the previously mentioned foal above, who's been named 'Cada'.
Penne was born June 13 to mum, Heidi and there have also been two recent male foals born to Asha (on July 8) and Aziza (on July 16).
https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/summer-of-zebra-stripes-arrives-at-walt-disney-world/
Penne was born June 13 to mum, Heidi and there have also been two recent male foals born to Asha (on July 8) and Aziza (on July 16).
https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/summer-of-zebra-stripes-arrives-at-walt-disney-world/
I know this is an old post (this is not one of my regular threads) but fascinating to know DAK is looking into potentially importing a male macaque. I hope they give it a shot. I realize they are not a species of much interest and we can only support so many Old World monkeys, and I don't expect this to suddenly lead to a population boom either, but it would be nice for them to hang on a little longer given their unique appearance and niche. Perhaps they could form a consortium with San Diego Zoo, which recently lose their macaques as well?
Frankly, there *should* be enough interest long-term to maintain either lion-tailed or Sulawesi crested macaques as a global management plan alongside Europe. The most recent African-Eurasian Monkey TAG has Japanese macaques as the recommended replacement for all other macaque species. While I love the Japanese species, the idea that it is a species suitable for zoos like Disney, San Diego, etc., is frankly absurd. I'd hope that there is enough interest in macaques for a few southern zoos to prioritize having a second species long-term. The interest should exist: DAK has an excellent lion-tailed macaque habitat, San Diego has a long history with the species, Memphis has the last group of Sulawesi macaques, El Paso still has one elderly lion-tailed macaque, and Kansas City should still have lion-tailed macaques too. Even if there's no additional interest, between these five zoos there should be enough space for a consortium population of 30-50 animals, perfect for cooperation with Europe!
It's worth noting that behaviorally lion-tailed macaques are vastly different than the Japanese species- which is actually a poor behavioral model for macaques as a whole since it is one of the two most despotic species (along with rhesus), when lion-tailed, Sulawesi, and many of the others are much more egalitarian.
True, although I don't think conservation status alone is a good determination of what species should or shouldn't be housed in zoos. The big appeal to Japanese macaques, however, is that there are very few primate species that are cold tolerant. There's a reason the AZA zoos with Japanese macaques are in places like Buffalo, Detroit, Minnesota, and Chicago. For a cold tolerant primate, your only real options are Japanese macaques, geladas, or Hamadryas baboons (other cold tolerant species, like snub-nosed monkeys, can't be found in US zoos). Truthfully, I find it surprising that there are not more Northern zoos housing Japanese macaques because they are a large, engaging monkey that is capable of being outdoors all winter long, including in the snow. This cold tolerance, however, is also why it doesn't make sense for Japanese macaques to be housed in places like Disney, San Diego, etc., that can choose from so many other monkey species instead.
I suspect the reason more zoos don’t have them is because they require more space than many lther primates. Some on this forum have attributed the decline baboon species in zoos to this.
Most of the spaces for large primates are dedicated to apes, not large Old World monkeys. While I love apes, there would easily be space for slightly larger populations of some of the larger monkeys if a few zoos stopped housing gorillas, chimps, or orangutans. Anyways, that's enough of a primate tangent from DAK news.
Animallover23
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know if Samson, the southern white rhino died or was transferred to another zoo after 2012?
Now that their main D23 event has revealed a roster of new lands and attractions for the majority of their theme parks in the coming future. The one most relevant to us ZooChatters is that the Tropical Americas land is indeed happening; and is planning to open in phases between now and 2027.
We were also given confirmation that the new “Zootopia” show will in fact, replace “It’s Tough to be Bug” next winter (2025); and that it will be named “Better Zoogether” (seems a bit on the nose though, doesn’t it).
Also announced, but more or so teased, is a new animal-themed carousel featuring characters from different intellectual properties. With the following concept art provided below:
As for the burning question if live animals will also have a place in the new land. Sadly, it doesn’t appear to be the case at all. Which of course, is a stupendous missed opportunity in my opinion! But then again, I did mention that the new land might be like Pandora when it comes to not adding any living creatures.
Do I think that the park should invest in some smaller, “filler” exhibits to at least keep the animal-lovers in us satisfied? I should hope so. But knowing the corporate near-monopoly of today, when compared the same company in charge of the creative teams developing Africa and Asia nearly thirty years ago. It’s clear that such continuity is complete nonsense in their eyes, and that expanding their already-existing IP-presence is the way to go…. Sigh… At least I’m glad we haven’t gotten a ride based on “The Lion King” (2019; yes that one) just yet.
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Do you mean to say they are actually making the Tropical Americas land without any live animals? That doesn't make any sense at all. I feel like I must have misunderstood here. If it doesn't, then why would they theme it around a real place and not a specific IP? If so, what an absolute bone-headed, nonsensical decision.
In a nutshell @birdsandbats, it sounds like that’s going to be the case. Do note though, that I’m basing this off of what Disney announced at the event; so while the possibility of animals isn’t completely out the picture (for now). It’s just that I find it even more unlikely as time progresses.
The name of the actual land is going to be ‘Pueblo Esperanza’ though which roughly translates to Village of Hope. So not necessarily based on a real place but has South American flair I suppose. I love Indiana Jones, but don’t get me wrong, I hate this for the park. Encanto only has one character with ties to animals and is explored for like 5 mins in the film and that’s it. And I’m too much of a fan of Dinosaur and the Dino Institute that seeing it go pains me. And unless they keep it, going to miss seeing the massive American Crocodile, one of my favorite parts there.
There are no live animals. It is all rides and shops and restaurants. It looks like they are actually taking away the small live animal component that was in Dinoland as they transform it.
Beyond minor fiddling within the existing live animal areas, DAK hasn't really added a new live animal area since the Asia zone opened, and it doesn't look like they ever will again.
Bull Samson passed away in August 2013.
I was always skeptical that live animals wouldn't be a focus of this "Tropical Americas" land, but I hate to see this confirmed in updated concept art and designs. When I visited Disney's Animal Kingdom in 2022, I refused to visit the Avatar section of the park due to not liking how the theme fit with the rest of the park, and frankly if they go through with this "Encanto Land" that lacks an animal trail, I'm not sure that I will ever visit Disney's Animal Kingdom again. I'm still holding out some hope that some animals may make the final cut, or are planned for a phase two of the project, but am nonetheless disappointed by their exclusion.
For what it's worth, I've read on Disney World sites that criticism of straying from the park's original visions is not unique to Animal Kingdom. In particular, a lot of Disney World enthusiasts have been critical of recent changes to Epcot. It doesn't help that its been 16 years since Disney has built a single new ride not themed around one of their movies (Expedition Everest in 2008) either.
For what it's worth, I've read on Disney World sites that criticism of straying from the park's original visions is not unique to Animal Kingdom. In particular, a lot of Disney World enthusiasts have been critical of recent changes to Epcot. It doesn't help that its been 16 years since Disney has built a single new ride not themed around one of their movies (Expedition Everest in 2008) either.
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Persephone
Well-Known Member
I wouldn’t be surprised if capybaras make it in. They’re in the movie and a general crowd-pleasing animal. I could see ways to incorporate Indy and Encanto without being terrible but it’s not a great direction. In general I don’t think we’re ever getting a non-IP attraction at an existing park again. Not a single one was announced last night (save the Test Track retheme) and the last one in North America was probably Expedition Everest in 2006. I’m sure the designers could have made a proper South America section akin to Asia and Africa but I don’t think corporate would have approved it.
For what it’s worth they’re literally about to put two Cars themed rides in Frontierland, an area themed to the Old West, and California Adventure is receiving three major expansions without ties to California so… DAK didn’t fair the worst in theming erosion last night.
For what it’s worth they’re literally about to put two Cars themed rides in Frontierland, an area themed to the Old West, and California Adventure is receiving three major expansions without ties to California so… DAK didn’t fair the worst in theming erosion last night.