LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Saturday was Earth Day and Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s 25th anniversary.
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Walt Disney World shared a list of featured animals since the park opened on April 22, 1998.
Cast members and specialists have cared for 45 animals since the first day.
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Here are some of the heritage animals featured:
- Gino, a 42-year-old Western lowland gorilla, is the oldest gorilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. According to Disney, he was one of the first gorillas in the world to allow his caretakers to perform cardiac ultrasounds without anesthesia.
- A White stork named Johnny’s habitat is at the base of the Tree of Life, and he has been photobombing this iconic spot for years with his three-foot frame.
- Mac, the African elephant, is the largest of all the animals at the park at 13,000 pounds. Guests can see him on the Kilimanjaro Safaris.
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- Sid, the Rhinoceros iguana, is named this for its horns, and guests can spot the 40-year-old animal in The Oasis.
- Tuma, the Nile hippopotamus, is the youngest of the five hippos and is called “Tuma Toes” for her pink spots. She arrived at Disney’s Animal Kingdom three months before it opened and is a mother to two little hippos.
- Jack and Jill, miniature donkeys at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, were one of the first opening-day animals.
See a gallery of the animals below:
Photos: Disney’s Animal Kingdom spotlights opening-day heritage animals
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