Animal loving friend and Animal Kingdom

[Celidh]

I can't speak for AK as I have never been there.

We have a local Wildlife park that my partner said she wouldn't go to because it is a zoo. She doesn't want to see animals in captivity. I can appreciate that but told her I wouldn't not take my kids here (they enjoy it) just because she doesn't like it. I don't expect her to go with us. I did tell her that these animals are local animals that for one reason or another, can't be returned to the wild. Usually due to injury that would prevent them from surviving in the wild. It made her feel a bit better that they weren't just captured and stuck on display.

So, the animals in AK, is this the case with them? Are they there for a reason or just for us to look at?

 

[TDC Nala]

If she is very into animal rights, Animal Kingdom will offend her no matter how they treat the animals or how nice the enclosures are. Some animal activists object to the very idea of animals in captivity at all. Don't try to convince her to go there if it will set her off. Depending on how into it she is, she may want to avoid the Living Seas at Epcot as well.

 

[disneymegs]

I am a huge animal rights person, but I love AK and The Seas at Epcot. As opposed to other parks, Disney's parks are so focused on conservation and education. It's not about "show". There aren't shows with people riding animals and making them perform extravagant behaviors. I don't mind that though, considering I aspire to be an animal trainer. But really Walt Disney loved animals and wanted to make people aware of what they can do to help.

 

[jason10mm]

Yeah, just go there without her. Sounds like she will just fuss and pout regardless, which will just stress you out and annoy other guests who want to enjoy the park. Have her chill at the Biergarten so she can watch the trained performers come out to put on a show at the direction of some human overlord...oh wait

Or she can just tour The Land over and over, oblivious to the blight of captive carrots, screaming in pain and rage, but we just don't have the ears to hear it

 

[su2340]

I totally understand your friend. My concern is where these animals come from. Did they capture them or take them away from their habitats and families? No animal should be kept in captivity. Always put yourself in the victims shoes. If somebody took you away from all that you knew....would it be alright if they put you in a nice place? People always passify the animals needs...these animals should not be there. Even if you got your friend to go in there....she would probably become really sad. It is all about awareness...putting yourself in the victims shoes. These animals are living in captivity and are definitely victims....so sad....sigh

 

[poorunfortunatesouls]

I am someone who generally beleives that wild animals should not be kept in captivity. That being said, I am also a Disney-geek!

I felt very guilty on my last trip before we went to AK (it was my first trip since becoming a vegetarian four years ago). I, however, did some research. Aside from the bird show, I don't object to AK. There is a big difference between AK and Sea World.

1.) For the most part, the animals are not made to preform.

2.) The animals have lots of room, and a "natural" enviroment made for them.

3.) Conservation is a focus.

4.) Animals are safe from poachers and destruction in AK.

That being said, please do not force your friend to visit AK. It will not be fun for her, or you if she is going against her will.

 

[kaligal]

Some people feel very strongly that places like the AK and Sea World shouldn't exist. There is no talking them out of it.

I'd just leave that be, honestly.

 

[jlevis]

One of my favorite momments at AK was at Flights of Wonder. A pair of wild mallards had landed on the stage, there is a small pool behind there. Anyway, after the Harris Hawk free flight the hawk refused to return to the back stage area. It landed in a tree and just then the ducks decided to walk out on stage. Yep, the hawk demostrated natural behavior and took the drake. Ducks squaking, feathers flying, animal lovers screaming and my son and I laughing. Maybe your friend should go to Yellowstone in the winter and watch the wolves take down a young bison that is too weak to escape in the deep snow.

 

[PaulaSB12]

I don't know...

I have a friend who is vegetarian and an animal activist. She refuses to watch American Idol because JLo wears fur.

I just now searched for disney animal kingdom cruelty to see what came up and sure enough, there is an article on PETA.org discussing Disney's Wild Animal Kingdom and how it kills animals and that even though the animals are treated humanely, it is basically just a giant cage where animals have no freedom and are doomed to die.

I'm not claiming to understand or agree with PETA. And I'm pretty sure animals in the wild die fairly often too. Ok, I'm 100% sure animals die in their natural habitats, often horrible and cruel deaths. But I also don't try to get my friend to watch American Idol. Because her feelings are real and strong and what's the harm in skipping something that upsets her, even if others feel she is missing out?

If your friend is going to walk around and feel upset when she sees scorpians in a box instead of their natural habitat, or an owl sitting on a guy's shoulder instead of freely chasing mice in the dark, then it won't be fun for her. It will be upsetting.

EE is a really fun ride, but I'm not sure it's worth her being sad.

PETA complaining about animals being killed since its long been proved that 98% of animals given to PETA to re home are killed plus the trips to no kill shelters taking animals and killing them who are they to talk?

 

[photo_chick]

If someone has an issue with animals in captivity, and they stand firm in their beliefs, then I doubt there is anything you can do to convince them that Animal Kingdom is anything other than a well designed zoo. Dress it up any way you want, but it is still animals in captivity.

Yes, AK does do a lot for animal conservation, but so do a lot of zoos. I'm a huge supporter of humane zoos and could go on about all the ways they are good. Including the fact that some near extinct species are believed to only exist in captivity now and many zoos do mroe for animal rights than most animal rights activists. And I always wonder if we could ask the animals which they would prefer what they would say. You know "Hey mr. elephant, do you want to live on free on the savanna with poachers and the risk of attack from predators and an eternal hunt for food, or do you want to be safe here in the zoo where we give you great medical care and feed you so you don't have to lift a trunk?"

But we each have our own way of seeing things. And if someone has a problem with animals being held in captivity then Animal Kingdom will not be a happy place for them.

 

[photo_chick]

Yeah, just go there without her. Sounds like she will just fuss and pout regardless, which will just stress you out and annoy other guests who want to enjoy the park. Have her chill at the Biergarten so she can watch the trained performers come out to put on a show at the direction of some human overlord...oh wait

Or she can just tour The Land over and over, oblivious to the blight of captive carrots, screaming in pain and rage, but we just don't have the ears to hear it

LOL... When we went on Living with the Land my kids (8 and 11 at the time) questioned if it was right to force fruits and vegetables to grow into shapes the way they do there. And to have them growing in a manner that was so different from how they naturally grow. They were quite serious about it. Then they decided that until vegetables shrieked like the mandrakes in Harry Potter it was all good and proceeded to make vegetable cruelty jokes the rest of the trip.

 

[palmtreelover08]

OP-as a vegan who cares about animals I still take DD to AK. I do go on the safari if I don't have anyone else to take her, we skip the flights of wonder show and animal trails where the animals can be pacing the glass. But- that is me. There are different levels of veganism- like the woman who wouldn't watch idol because J-Lo has a fur, to people who are vegan for health reasons only. Point being- let her look up AK online and decide what she is comfortable with. If she doesn't want to go and you do- go without her- you will both be happy. Perhaps she can rent a car and drive to siesta key (2 hours). I have gone and rented a kayak for the day where I was able to see dolphins swim next to my kayak, see blue herons, baby egrets, pelicans and paddle among the mangroves. While I LOVE Disney- I would rather be kayaking than at AK. You are both adults- let her decide and "go with the flow".

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

PETA complaining about animals being killed since its long been proved that 98% of animals given to PETA to re home are killed plus the trips to no kill shelters taking animals and killing them who are they to talk?

PETAs stance is that it's inhumane to forever house unwanted pets, which is why they prefer euthanasia over a life in captivity.

More on topic, my vegan, anti-fur wife is an active member of the Jane Goodall Institute’s Jane's Peak Society and actually got the chance to talk to Jane at AK when it first opened, as Dr. Goodall took part in putting together the primate exhibits at AK together. While most animal lovers, my wife included, generally feel that living a life "on display" may not best the best situation for these animals, there is also the consideration to be made that in allowing the public to experience and appreciate these beautiful creatures up close and personal, a demand is built for keeping those animals who are still in the wild, and perhaps threatened, safe and unharmed. Couple that with the fact that the attractions throughout the park pour on the concept of conservation with a heavy hand (and rightly so) and you come up up with AK as our family's favorite destination within WDW.

In the end, it's all about where your friend's convictions lay, and what they feel is right and wrong. If she's of the more militant variety of animal lovers, who refuse to see the good found in something she might perceive is less than desirable, then I'd tend to agree with those here who suggest that it might be in your best interests not to try to talk your friend into doing what she isn't comfortable, even if it's for the sake of just enjoying your vacation together.

 

[kerplop]

If your friend is really that adamant, then let her stay behind and go to AK yourself. It's not worth arguing about in my opinion and if she really feels that strongly about it, she isn't going to change her mind.

 

[DakotaRose]

A few of Disney's animals are on display in small enclosures where people gawk and tease them. Then they are forced to ride in parades, sign autographs and wear clothes. (Insert photo of Chip and Dale wearing Hawaiian shirts).

 

[staceymarie]

I don't think you can ever make AK look good to an animal "rights" loving friend because the animals are in captivity. Yes, they are treated well but it is really mostly a zoo and there is little if no freedom.
If she is an animal "lover"---she might like it just fine as most of us animal lovers are holding our own animals in captivity and taking care of them just as well as they do at AK so the concepts the same.

My DD doesn't care for AK ever since she saw a very depresssed looking gorilla.

LOL... When we went on Living with the Land my kids (8 and 11 at the time) questioned if it was right to force fruits and vegetables to grow into shapes the way they do there. And to have them growing in a manner that was so different from how they naturally grow. They were quite serious about it. Then they decided that until vegetables shrieked like the mandrakes in Harry Potter it was all good and proceeded to make vegetable cruelty jokes the rest of the trip.

OMG! That is too funny! Smart kids!

 

[luvmy2babies]

Go without her. Let her do something she wants while you go enjoy AK and meet up later. Agree that you won't bother her about not going if she doesn't bother you about going. That way you don't infringe on each other.

 

[rdamer70]

PETA complaining about animals being killed since its long been proved that 98% of animals given to PETA to re home are killed plus the trips to no kill shelters taking animals and killing them who are they to talk?

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

You may wish to point out to your friend that over 80% of the animals in AK at the start were rescue or from zoo's that needed to reduce their animal populations.......etc.

Only 5 to 10% ( I am not sure on the figure I saw in print) were wild capture.

They no longer use wild capture animal and they have a excellent record of breeding for endangered species.

Years ago,there was a short period on Discovery island where some CM's were not taking proper care of some birds/animals. When this was reported, they were fired and the situation was totally changed, however the island has since been closed


As far as Peta goes.............they are much more a political *aren't we great group* then a group to help animals.........Their published reports have often been proved plain out right lies and errors, designed to just try and get people to believe them.

AKK

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I don't know...

I have a friend who is vegetarian and an animal activist. She refuses to watch American Idol because JLo wears fur.

I just now searched for disney animal kingdom cruelty to see what came up and sure enough, there is an article on PETA.org discussing Disney's Wild Animal Kingdom and how it kills animals and that even though the animals are treated humanely, it is basically just a giant cage where animals have no freedom and are doomed to die.

I'm not claiming to understand or agree with PETA. And I'm pretty sure animals in the wild die fairly often too. Ok, I'm 100% sure animals die in their natural habitats, often horrible and cruel deaths. But I also don't try to get my friend to watch American Idol. Because her feelings are real and strong and what's the harm in skipping something that upsets her, even if others feel she is missing out?

If your friend is going to walk around and feel upset when she sees scorpians in a box instead of their natural habitat, or an owl sitting on a guy's shoulder instead of freely chasing mice in the dark, then it won't be fun for her. It will be upsetting.

EE is a really fun ride, but I'm not sure it's worth her being sad.

They are right, in AK just as in all Zoo's and centers some animals are raised as food for other animals.......big cats etc. They are humanly treated and put down when it time for them to be used for their intended purpose.

That's nature

AKK