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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Expands Animal Conservation Efforts Walt Disney World has developed a comprehensive conservation program which will include research, breeding and educational facilities at Disney's Animal Kingdom and further promote the cause of endangered species in the wild. The Disney conservation program is built upon a foundation of environmental and conservation initiatives at the Walt Disney World Resort. With the development of Disney's Animal Kingdom, set to open in 1998, that commitment will grow to include an expanded focus on global conservation. "Much of the world's wildlife is in imminent danger," said Judson Green, president of Walt Disney attractions. "We will work directly to save endangered animals, but just as important, we hope to motivate our guests to support wildlife programs back home in urgent need of assistance."
The headquarters for conservation and species survival activities will be Conservation Station. Here guests will find information on conservation organizations worldwide that will help them connect back to conservation efforts in their own communities. Guests also will learn about the park's participation in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) program. The SSP, a program of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), is an international cooperative breeding project designed to manage populations of rare and endangered animals and maintain genetic diversity within species. Many of the species that will be found at Disney's Animal Kingdom will be a part of the AZA's SSP program. Existing animal conservation efforts at Walt Disney World include the management of threatened and rare species at Discovery Island, an 1 I-acre AZA-accredited zoological park, located at the resort. More than 130 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates are included in the island's collection. Discovery island was the first zoo to successfully raise Maguari storks and white crested hornbills. The Living Seas, located at Epcot Center, is Walt Disney World's center for marine science and conservation. Over 2,700 fish, plus sharks, sea turtles and bottle-nose dolphins living in a 5.7 million gallon salt water exhibit provide a glimpse into the marine realm for millions of guests. The Living Seas also participates in marine conservation research and rehabilitation projects with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and other conservation organizations. Located approximately 30 miles from Walt Disney World Resort is the Disney Wilderness Preserve, an 8,500-acre conservation area which Disney purchased in 1993 and turned over to The Nature Conservancy. Formerly known as the Walker Ranch, the preserve is home to threatened and endangered species, including wood storks, Florida scrub jays and gopher tortoises, and has one of the largest concentrations of nesting bald eagles in the United States. It also is considered an outstanding example of intact native Florida plant communities, including pine flatwoods, scrub, palmetto prairie, freshwater marshes and forested wetlands.
Disney's long-standing relationship with animals dates back to Walt Disney's original inspiration for founding his company. "I have learned from the animal world, and what anyone will learn who studies it is a renewed sense of kinship with the Earth and all its inhabitants," he said. The Oscar-winning "True Life Adventures" series, created in the 1950s by Disney and his nephew, Roy, awakened an entire generation to the richness of animal life with fascinating documentaries that emphasized the importance of conserving our natural heritage. Contemporary classics such as the hit animated movie "The Lion King" continue that rich tradition. The "Circle of Life," a whole new adventure film which uses the stars of "The Lion King," entertains Epcot audiences daily with humorously presented -- yet powerful -- messages about protecting the world's environment for all living things. Leading animal management and conservation efforts at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Walt Disney World is Rick Barongi, director of animal programs and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Barongi joined Disney from the San Diego Zoo, where he was director of the Children's Zoo and curator of mammals. Prior to San Diego, he served as curator of mammals at Miami Metrozoo. He has a master's degree in zoology from Rutgers University. A zoological professional with 24 years of experience, Barongi specializes ill the breeding and conservation of large mammals. He was involved in establishing an okapi conservation project in Epulu, Zaire, and is presently working with the Republic of Panama to train local wildlife biologists. He is a professional fellow member of the AZA. Leading the research and education activities at Walt Disney World and the Disney's Animal Kingdom is Dr. Beth Stevens. Dr. Stevens holds a doctoral degree in animal behavior from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed a post-doctoral internship at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Leading Walt Disney World's department of veterinary services, is Dr. Peregrine Wolff. Dr. Wolff holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. She has worked as a veterinarian at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago and as both a veterinarian and director of biological programs at the Minnesota Zoo. Dr. Wolff is the president of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. In her current capacity, she will manage all veterinary services and staff at the Animal Kingdom and Walt Disney World.
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Many of the themes and stories associated with.
Disney's Animal Kingdom will communicate a conservation
message and raise the public's awareness of the
extinction crisis facing species worldwide.
Another 8,350 acres have been set aside for
conservation on Walt Disney World Resort property.
Comprising more than one-fourth of the resort's 30,008
acres, these protected lands provide habitat for Florida
native wildlife species.
As a research scientist, she has studied the
behavior of animals both in the wild and in captivity and
has used her studies to create exciting educational
experiences for students and families. Dr. Stevens
previously served as the senior vice-president,
Conservation Action Resource Center at the Atlanta Zoo,
where she also supervised conservation and education
programs.
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