NEWS: Disney Provided Behind the Scenes Look at Animal Care at Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a special place. There’s something magical about experiencing these amazing creatures up close. With animal encounters in such immersive environments, it’s easy to forget that there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to care for the full-time residents of Animal Kingdom. Ahead of Earth Day, Disney has provided a glimpse of what it takes to keep everyone healthy and happy.

Here are all the details from cast member Dr. Mark Penning:

Day and night, cast members care for the animals who call Walt Disney World home. Their work reflects deep expertise, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to animal wellbeing – and it’s worth celebrating today and every day.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) since the park’s opening in 1998, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park stands as a reflection of the passion, teamwork, and high standards our cast members bring to their work.

There’s no better way to celebrate Earth Month than with a closer look at the care these teams provide, and a big thank you to the cast members who make it all happen.

Animal Care Guests Don’t Always See

Some of the most important animal care happens beyond what guests typically notice.

Every day, cast members create customized nutrition plans, design enriching experiences, and partner closely with veterinarians to support animals at every stage of life. From carefully prepared meals to enrichment that encourages natural behaviors like exploring and problem‑solving, our hands‑on care is grounded in research, observation, and experience.

A key part of this work happens at the Animal Nutrition Center, which prepares and delivers more than 10,000 pounds of food each day to animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT. It’s a behind‑the‑scenes operation that reflects the dedication and attention to detail cast members bring to their work every single day.

When giraffe Tucker recently celebrated his first birthday, his keepers partnered with the Animal Nutrition Center to create a giraffe‑friendly birthday feast designed just for him, a small moment that highlights the care that guests only get a glimpse of.

Science in Action

Behind every animal you see is a team of experts putting science to work around the clock.

Animals are monitored overnight, supported through behind‑the‑scenes check‑ins, and cared for using detailed protocols that help ensure their well-being at all times. Animal care professionals, veterinarians, nutritionists, and scientists collaborate daily, whether it’s during a routine exam or planning long‑term care.

For animals like okapis – naturally reclusive and rarely visible even in the wild – much of that care happens quietly behind the scenes. Keepers like Mori build trust over time, training okapis to voluntarily participate in their own care, allowing teams to monitor health and conduct exams even when guests may never catch a glimpse.

The same relationship‑based approach allows African elephants to position their feet for veterinary radiographs, demonstrating how science‑based care is rooted in communication, trust, and respect.

Where Care, Careers, and Conservation Connect

Many of our cast will tell you that animal care is more than a job; it’s a calling.

Through certifications, mentorship, research, and collaboration with peers across the global zoological community, cast members continuously build expertise that supports animals both in our care and in the wild.

This knowledge extends far beyond the park gates. Cast members contribute to field research and conservation partnerships around the world, from the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles to work with the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

That same commitment also comes back home, shaping how cast members connect guests to conservation every day.

Just as importantly, cast members help inspire the next generation of conservationists. Experiences like Wilderness Explorers spark curiosity through discovery, inviting young adventurers to learn about animals, ecosystems, and the importance of protecting the natural world. By turning learning into hands-on exploration, these moments help plant the seeds for future conservation leaders.

The Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) helps carry this message forward. Celebrating more than 30 years of impact with $141 million invested to date, DCF supports conservation efforts globally, combining philanthropic grants and Disney expertise to protect wildlife, restore ecosystems, and inspire action for the planet

Celebrating the Teams Who Make It Possible

Disney’s Animal Kingdom was built on the belief that caring for animals comes with an extraordinary responsibility, and our cast members carry that responsibility with pride.

Read more environmental stories and updates from around the world this Earth Month by visiting TheWaltDisneyCompany.com/Disney-Planet-Possible. To see more of the work our teams do to care for more than 5,000 animals across Walt Disney World, be sure to follow along with me on Instagram and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment on Facebook.