Treatment of animals at AK, need info?

[dnkmmw]

Here is my take. Now, I am not a vegetarian or anti-fur, but I am very much against animal cruelty. I was extremely upset, even sickened, after seeing a certain documentary about a certain sea life park in Orlando. I questioned a lot of things about AK and AKL. One of the big difference to me is that animals at AK do not perform in order to be fed. The other thing that stands out is that animals at AK have minimal interaction with humans. They are not pet, or ridden on or forced to make unnatural movements. Yes, these animals are in captive, but virtually none of them were captured from the wild. I was told about a bird, I can't recall the type, that was found injured in Africa and, while the bird was rehabilitated, it could never live as normal in the wild.

Thee are many animals that can thrive in captivity, but none should be performing. I also believe that none should be harvested from the wild and their lives should be as close to their natural habitat as possible. Which brings up the concerns about climate, many of these animals have heat and cooling sources that we do not see.

As far as cages, certain animals must be caged at night. I believe lions, tigers and the predator type animals, this is a requirement by the Florida Fish and Wildlife group - I forgot the actual name. This is to protect the animals and humans.

Finally, I spoke to one of the keepers at AKL asking if she had ethical issues about the animals being there. Not needing any time to consider, she said, "Oh yeah. I would love for these animals to be in the wild, but it's not a possibility for them. So, they are given the best life at they can have in captivity."

Again just my take, but I would also say that if your friend is very much against it, don't force her to go. I would never forgive someone for forcing me to go to a sea life park.

Edited to add:
Please don't refer to your friend as being nutty for caring about the treatment of animals. They are living creqtures and far too many people don't care about their treatment.

Dawn

 

[darkwing818]

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!!

Either this or just get new a friend....

 

[Nixie]

Is your friend aware that there is a huge aquarium in Epcot where dolphins and manatees are kept? If she isn't comfortable with AK, she might also wanna skip the Living Seas pavilion in Epcot.

 

[Nixie]

Double Post Sorry

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

She is particularly concerned with cold weather (for Florida lol) and the African animals.

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

Just so your friend is aware, the average nighttime low temperatures in many African countries that are home to lions are lower than Florida's average nighttime lows. For example, in Botswana, the average low in May, June, July and August is in the 30's and 40's so the African animals are perfectly fine in Florida's weather.

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Gaborone-weather-averages/South-East/BW.aspx

Hope that helps put your friend's mind at ease about the African animals.

 

[Art 1]

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

I'd let her do her own research, sounds like a nut.

 

[dnkmmw]

I have to say I am a bit surprised that so many people think it's "nutty" to care about how the animals are treated.

Dawn

 

[DisGirl819]

Is your friend aware that there is a huge aquarium in Epcot where dolphins and manatees are kept? If she isn't comfortable with AK, she might also wanna skip the Living Seas pavilion in Epcot.

HOwever, the manatees are being rehabilitated and will be released back into the wild. Talk to any CM near the manatees and they can tell you about any individual manatee's issues and when they should be released after rehabilitation.

Of course the dolphins and fish are captive forever, but they are also well cared for.

 

[kbelle8995]

AK is more like a modern zoo where animals are kept in enclosures by clever designs. The only bars I see are backstage so I would make sure that she stays away from that area. I don't like old fashion zoos either. But they give the animals enrichment and really take good care of them.

On the plus side there is always a chance to see native wildlife. I've seen woodpeckers, hawks, alligators, rabbit, deer and wild turkey all on Disney property. From a safe distance of course.

 

[meggimouse]

I have to say I am a bit surprised that so many people think it's "nutty" to care about how the animals are treated. Dawn

Me too. I'm literally sickened by this.

 

[bigskip]

On the plus side there is always a chance to see native wildlife. I've seen woodpeckers, hawks, alligators, rabbit, deer and wild turkey all on Disney property. From a safe distance of course.

Wildlife highlight of my trip was a Bald Eagle in the Epcot area, but check out the waterways for turtle and otter.

 

[disnut1149]

Good for her for caring so much!! I won't go to Sea world because of the treatment the animals such as the whales receive. It bothers me too much.

 

[EWDonald]

I think most of us care about how animals are treated, not only at AK, but anywhere. The issue is that most of us are able to control that "care" and keep it at an acceptabale level. Some people, and it sounds like the OP's friend is one of them, are unable to control the desire to make sure that the animals are treated properly and go overboard with every aspect of their treatment. In their eyes, everything they see a human being do to, or for animals, is inhumane. That's when that person's comments and behavior become unacceptable to most of us. They fall into the same type of category (nuts) that the "environmentalist whackos" (courtesy of R Limbaugh) fall into.

I wish that I could receive the same treatment that the animals at Disney receive. Thank God they are not going to be included in ObamaCare!

 

[BrianL]

Wildlife highlight of my trip was a Bald Eagle in the Epcot area, but check out the waterways for turtle and otter.

Was he hanging out on top of the American Adventure pavillion? That would be SO epic! We have some blad eagles at our zoo (a very nice and well-respected one), and I always stare at them in awe. They stand so proud and it's like they know that they are revered in this country. I imagine him saying, "Yup, I'm on your money!"

To the subject at hand, I absolutely respect the concern for animal welfare in zoos and theme parks. The fact is that some facilities are great for the animals and really care for them well, but unfortunately others are not so good. As far as I know, AK is one of the best places for animals to have long, happy lives in captivity. Hey, I'd live at Disney World!

If a person is just 100% opposed to any animal in captivity though, I don't see how ust going to the other parks reconciles that dilemma. They would still be supporting the entire operation.

 

[LSUfan4444]

If a person is just 100% opposed to any animal in captivity though, I don't see how ust going to the other parks reconciles that dilemma. They would still be supporting the entire operation.

Exactly.

If it is as simple as out of sight out of mind, just close your eyes in a few spots in Animal Kingdom and the animals are pretty easy to avoid seeing. If it is the entire concept, then the rest of the Disney vacation is hypocritical.

 

[bcrook]

AK is more like a modern zoo where animals are kept in enclosures by clever designs. The only bars I see are backstage so I would make sure that she stays away from that area. I don't like old fashion zoos either. But they give the animals enrichment and really take good care of them.

On the plus side there is always a chance to see native wildlife. I've seen woodpeckers, hawks, alligators, rabbit, deer and wild turkey all on Disney property. From a safe distance of course.

And my favorite - Anhingas!

 

[dawnmichele]

I am also a zoo hater.

Some of you can call me a freak or tell me I need to get a life or whatever, I could care less what you think, but the truth is there are way too many zoos in this country and at a majority of them, animals are not well cared for. I'm not going to waste my time trying to convince you because you obviously care about as much as I care about your opinion of me.

That being said - and back to the OP's question - my problems with most regular zoos is exactly whey I love the AK so much. Those animals are so well cared for, and even though the range of motion is much less than in the wild, their habitats are fantastic and not only give them plenty of room to roam, but also give them a chance to get away from the people (or vehicles) if they want to. I could ride the safari and walk those trails all darn day. LOVE it.

Now the gorillas sometimes freak me out when they watch me watching them but I don't doubt they're well cared for or too very unhappy.

 

[BrianL]

I am also a zoo hater.

Some of you can call me a freak or tell me I need to get a life or whatever, I could care less what you think, but the truth is there are way too many zoos in this country and at a majority of them, animals are not well cared for. I'm not going to waste my time trying to convince you because you obviously care about as much as I care about your opinion of me.

That being said - and back to the OP's question - my problems with most regular zoos is exactly whey I love the AK so much. Those animals are so well cared for, and even though the range of motion is much less than in the wild, their habitats are fantastic and not only give them plenty of room to roam, but also give them a chance to get away from the people (or vehicles) if they want to. I could ride the safari and walk those trails all darn day. LOVE it.

Now the gorillas sometimes freak me out when they watch me watching them but I don't doubt they're well cared for or too very unhappy.

You are right that many zoos just aren't up to snuff, but like AK, many of them are. We have a world-class zoo in my city with natural habitats. It doesn't quite have the space that AK does on the savannah, but they do a good job with the environments. We actually recently acquired a Hippo from AK after one of ours passed away (of natural causes at a very old age), and they are currently building a new hippo environment.

I think the key is to know the facts about a specific facility before choosing to support it. Not all of them are bad.

 

[nansmama]

I also find it disturbing how many people are calling OP's friend "nuts" for caring about animal welfare. There are A LOT of zoos that mistreat or neglect (including benign neglect) their animals, and the only way to find out is to research a particular zoo. I won't go to a lot of zoos for this reason so I understand the concerns of OP's friend. AK, from the research I've done, does seem to be one of the good ones. OP, your friend should google if she is really concerned, because what's acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another.

 

[TommyTutone]

Good for her for caring so much!! I won't go to Sea world because of the treatment the animals such as the whales receive. It bothers me too much.

Thank you and it really bothers me too that people are saying 'get a life' or 'get a different friend' because she cares about the welfare of the animals. I too have avoided Sea World for the past 10 years (and closer to home, the Atlanta Zoo and Georgia Aquarium) for much the same reason.

I have no doubt that AK cares deeply for its animals, like Sea World, but ultimately their bottom line is the dollar.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/more-deaths-at-animal-kingdom/
http://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/16/u...eal-life-obstacles.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm - talks about the deaths of animals during the construction of the park

And the fact that animals live longer in captivity than in the wild is not necessarily true. They are free of predators and poachers, but face other issues. You can see AK is not free of incident with the elephants - http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/zoos/elephant-deaths/

And as was touched on earlier, your friend will likely want to skip The Living Seas at EPCOT as they keep dolphins and while their area is larger compared to many zoos, it is still far smaller than the environment where dolphins and whales belong. It goes without saying that Sea World should absolutely be avoided, the most recent Black Fish and Death at Sea World being two excellent resources as to the reasons why.