BAY LAKE, Fla. – The circle of life is thriving at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park this year.
On Wednesday, Disney shared the news that this year alone, the park has welcomed the birth of more than 300 animal residents. Disney said the births range from the smallest cuttlefish at The Seas with Nemo and Friends at EPCOT to two Hartmann’s Mountain zebra foals at the Kilimanjaro Safaris.
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“Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment cast members and animal care experts continue to bring people and nature together through joyful experiences every day as they celebrate the births of these endangered animals through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, and foster the animals’ successful on-stage debuts,” Disney explained in a media release.
See some of the newest additions below.
Pixie the Shetland Pony
Pixie the Shetland Pony was born in July at Disney’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Disney said Pixie is the third Shetland pony born at the ranch this year. She has already started her training to one day help pull Cinderella’s royal carriage alongside a number of other Shetland ponies.
Cricket and Dot – Hartmann’s Mountain Zebras
Born back in May and June, Cricket and Dot can be found on the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney’s animal care teams said both foals have different personalities. Cricket loves the water and can often be seen splashing in puddles, while Dot frolics and exhibits her energy with “zoomies” as she quickly gallops around the savanna, Disney described.
Penny – Yellow-backed duiker
After bonding for a few months with her mom backstage, yellow-backed duiker baby Penny, born in the spring, recently made her on-stage debut. Disney said Yellow-backed duikers are an extremely shy and reclusive forest-dwelling antelope, but Penny and Pearl may be seen by guests who look closely as they visit Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
Cotton-top tamarin twins
Born back in June, these adorable monkeys can be found playing around not far from their mom and dad in Animal Kingdom’s Discovery Island, just across from Creature Comforts Coffee Shop (Starbucks) location. Found in the tropical forests of Colombia, cotton-top tamarins are some of the smallest primates in the world. Experts say they’re easily some of the most recognizable monkeys due to their long white hairs that extend from their forehead to their shoulders.
The brand-new animal births this year come as Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates 25 years.
For more information on how Disney cares for animals and helps protect species in the wild, visit DisneyAnimals.com. And seasons one and two of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” streaming on Disney+, give viewers unprecedented access to some of the most rare and beautiful species on the planet and a chance to meet animal care cast members who have formed remarkable bonds with the parks’ thousands of animals.
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