Treatment of animals at AK, need info?

[ammag]

So a friend of mine has been to MK and Epcot once and is planning another trip for May. I am helping her plan it and she is concerned about the welfare of the animals at AK. She barely tolerates zoos in general because she doesn't like that the animals are kept in "jails" at night or when it is cold. I want to reassure her that Disney takes good care of the animals. Does anyone have info that can help me?

She is particularly concerned with cold weather (for Florida lol) and the African animals. I know she's a bit nutty, but I understand wanting to make sure the animals are humanly cared for.

So...anyone seen the areas the animals go when inside, do you know what happens when weather is cold,etc?

I really want to set her mind at ease so her family can enjoy AK! Thanks

 

[DisGirl819]

You can see some of the animal areas if you ride the train to the Rafiki's Planet Watch. The animals are only inside at night. The animals at AKL/AKV are only inside for a couple hours each morning for medical care and feeding, other than that they are on the savannah. I would say that Disney cares for their animals very well. I don't have specific information but I know you can ask CMs at AK and they are more than happy to tell you about the animals, they were at AKL/AKV.

 

[Magpie]

The short answer is, I don't believe your friend has anything to be concerned about. Disney takes very good care of its animals.

However, I would strongly recommend booking this tour:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/backstage-safari/

Guests have to be 16 or older, and it's 72 dollars a person, but it'll answer all your questions and you and your friend will get to see how the animals are cared for with your own eyes.

 

[goofy4tink]

Then animals are brought into specific barns at night. Each type of animal has it's own 'call'...when they hear that, they head back to the barns for the night. I've stayed at Kidani, and been able to barely make out the giraffe barns....fun watching them come out in the morning.

These animals, or at least a lot of them, have been born on site. They know no other way..the same as a dog or a cat at home. They are very well cared for...I have talked to CMs who have worked the safari ride and discussed that very thing. If I were an animal, I would want to live at WDW!!!

 

[Mrsjvb]

She is particularly concerned with cold weather (for Florida lol) and the African animals. I know she's a bit nutty, but I understand wanting to make sure the animals are humanly cared for.

So...anyone seen the areas the animals go when inside, do you know what happens when weather is cold,etc?

the animals are as close to the wild as possible. they control when and where they go inside in all aspects except when violent weather or other dangers approach( hurricanes ) and they are forced indoors for their safety.

 

[disnut8]

the animals are as close to the wild as possible. they control when and where they go inside in all aspects except when violent weather or other dangers approach( hurricanes ) and they are forced indoors for their safety.

So basically, the animals at Disney World (except the native wildlife) get better treatment than if they were in the wild. If bad weather comes up in the wild, the animals might not have a good place to go that protects them. At Disney World, they do. Disney also has regularly scheduled checkups for all its animals.

Also, your friend should take a look at how the native wildlife like Ibises, ducks, bunnies, etc. are treated at Disney World. If the parks were so hostile, why would there be so many of these animals around? I have an awesome photo of two ducks just walking along World Showcase in Canada without a care in the world. They are completed surrounded by people legs and they felt extremely safe. Where else would you see a momma duck with her eight ducklings all laying down to take a nap right next to a popular food kiosk?

And Disney World will take care of any native wildlife that is injured while on property. They are cared for at Animal Kingdom and then released after they are able to vend for themselves again. If the animal cannot be released on its' own, a suitable place is found for the animal to live a full life (usually on Disney property).

And the story of the doves that used to be released after the Main Street Flag Ceremony. Hawks realized they were missing out on some treats that happened the same time every day so Disney doesn't have doves flying after the ceremony anymore. Disney didn't try and control the hawk population, they just removed the temptation.

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

I wouldn't recommend the train ride going out to Rafiki's planet watch then. It goes by their "jails." The last time we went through, there was an elephant in one and this was during the day. Don't know why it was there during the day, maybe sick or something. But she probably wouldn't like that if she were to see something similar. The conservation station is nice and it showcases Disney's commitment to taking care of their animals, but you do have to ride by the "jail houses."

 

[Luvchefmic]

I invite you to share this blog with your friend

http://thishappyplaceblog.com/2012/04/18/aka-zoo-or-nahtazu/

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

you'll also find that some animals (for example the Komodo Dragon - over in Asia) don't come out until it is warm enough for them.

Animals come in from the safari at night to be weighed and fed (they do get to munch out in the safari area but they get more food etc at night).

The Nile Crocodiles don't have to come in - they have a call but are not 'forced' to come in.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I do believe the animals are treated well at AK, but if she is philosophically opposed to animals being in captivity, I don't see how she will think AK is ok.

 

[Robbi]

I do believe the animals are treated well at AK, but if she is philosophically opposed to animals being in captivity, I don't see how she will think AK is ok.

I have a friend who sounds like the OP's friend. It wouldn't matter how well the animals are cared for, she'd find fault. I told her to skip AK. If she chose to go and she found a reason to rant, she could tell it to someone else as I was not going to discuss it with her.

 

[LSUfan4444]

My advice...don't try and make a square block fit through a round hole.

If she doesn't like zoos, has concerns for the treatment of animals and has issues with Animal Kingdom, but for some reason has not problem with other Disney parks just plan her vacation without Animal Kingdom.

If she doesn't want to see the animals, that's pretty easy. If she just doesn't like the idea, I can't see how just going to another Disney park is any different.

More times than not, the people I hear who come away from WDW unhappy or with a bad experience start by doing something they didn't want to do.

 

[DVCcurious]

I'd also tell her that the animals on the Jungle Cruise are not real so she's not worried about them.

Fact: The animals at Animal Kingdom park do not have the choice to leave if they wanted to. They are captives/hostages/prisoners. If a person is bothered with the idea of animals in captivity there is no way around that fact at Animal Kingdom. You can show them how good the captivity is, but it doesn't change the fact that the animals are in captivity.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I'd also tell her that the animals on the Jungle Cruise are not real so she's not worried about them.

Fact: The animals at Animal Kingdom park do not have the choice to leave if they wanted to. They are captives/hostages/prisoners. If a person is bothered with the idea of animals in captivity there is no way around that fact at Animal Kingdom. You can show them how good the captivity is, but it doesn't change the fact that the animals are in captivity.

yup - however I'm pretty sure that the Bantabok and the Addex (both of which are either extinct in the wild or practically) may be just happy to be alive. I take comfort that the Rhinos (both black and white) and the elephants aren't being poached while at AK.

I think the folks at AK truly care about the animals. I've been in zoos some good and some where you are actually cringing for the animals. I think AK is a wonderful park!

 

[mom2rtk]

I'd also tell her that the animals on the Jungle Cruise are not real so she's not worried about them.

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!

Tell me it isn't so!

 

[bedogged]

The short answer is, I don't believe your friend has anything to be concerned about. Disney takes very good care of its animals.

However, I would strongly recommend booking this tour:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/animal-kingdom/backstage-safari/

Guests have to be 16 or older, and it's 72 dollars a person, but it'll answer all your questions and you and your friend will get to see how the animals are cared for with your own eyes.

The animals aren't even subjected to flies as they would be on a natural savannah in Africa.

 

[Guano Joe]

AK is a member of the AAZA (American Association of Zoos & Aquariums) which demands very high standards of animal care from its members. The backstage areas at AK include a huge animal nutrition center and a fully staffed veterinary hospital.

Here's something the OP's friend should think about. The average lifespan of the animals at AK is much higher than those in the wild. One of the Gibbons apes in Asia is 39 years old!!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I want to reassure her that Disney takes good care of the animals.
. . . WDW follows all veterinarians recommended animal treatment
. . . in many cases, they exceed such treatment

Does anyone have info that can help me?
. . . there are enough blogs
. . . do a Google
. . . other than that, take our word for it

She is particularly concerned with cold weather (for Florida lol) and the African animals.
. . . Disney does take this into consideration
. . . if there is an animal tolerance level, WDW compensates

I know she's a bit nutty
. . . I think you got this right

So...anyone seen the areas the animals go when inside, do you know what happens when weather is cold,etc?
. . . you can take the public tours or behind-the-scenes tours

I really want to set her mind at ease so her family can enjoy AK!
. . . with her fears/beliefs, she would have to view it herself
. . . we seriously doubt our/your recommendations will change her views/opinions

 

[North of Mouse]

So a friend of mine has been to MK and Epcot once and is planning another trip for May. I am helping her plan it and she is concerned about the welfare of the animals at AK. She barely tolerates zoos in general because she doesn't like that the animals are kept in "jails" at night or when it is cold. I want to reassure her that Disney takes good care of the animals. Does anyone have info that can help me?

She is particularly concerned with cold weather (for Florida lol) and the African animals. I know she's a bit nutty, but I understand wanting to make sure the animals are humanly cared for.

So...anyone seen the areas the animals go when inside, do you know what happens when weather is cold,etc?

I really want to set her mind at ease so her family can enjoy AK! Thanks

Sounds like said 'friend' needs to go get a life! Also, maybe plan her vacations somewhere without animals.

We should all be as lucky to have the kind of 'treatment' that Disney gives it's animals!!

 

[networktek]

Have your friend take the behind the scenes tour at AK it will show her that the animals taken very well care.