Miami, Apr 21 (EFE).- Animal Kingdom (animal kingdom), one of Disney’s theme parks in Orlando (Florida) will celebrate its 25th anniversary this Saturday and will celebrate it with donations to nature defense organizations to coincide with the Day from the earth.
As part of the celebration, Disney announced a $500,000 donation to five conservation organizations in Florida to “continue to help make our planet a happier and healthier planet for all,” according to a statement released Friday.
Recipients are Conservation Florida, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Lake Nature Center, and Wekiva Wilderness Trust.
It was April 22, 1998 when Walt Disney World Resort invited guests to discover a unique theme park located on a vast 500-acre (more than 200 hectares) space.
Today animals from all over the world live there and some 5,000 people work to care for them and serve the park and visitors.
45 animals that have been since or before opening day still live in the park.
The park introduced in 1998 a completely new way to appreciate, enjoy and interact with animals and to celebrate our relationship with the environment.
A company statement notes that Animal Kingdom combines Walt Disney’s love of animals, both real and imagined, with exciting attractions, theatrical shows and entertaining characters.
Everything at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is inspired by nature and the animal world. For example, the icon of the park, the imposing Tree of Life, these 25 years the park has continuously evolved with new attractions, entertainment and even completely new lands, such as Asia and Pandora -The World of Avatar-.
Highlights include a 3D journey into the world of bugs (It’s Tough to Be a Bug!), a musical celebrating the circle of life (Festival of the Lion King) and encounters with beloved characters.
Also, an adventure on a whitewater raft (Kali River Rapids), another on a runaway train (Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain), a flight on a banshee (Avatar Flight of Passage) and a tour of a Bioluminescent Rainforest (Na’vi River Journey).
Over the past 25 years, Disney has made significant contributions to animal welfare, not only at the theme park, but also in the community, state and world.
“At Disney, we believe that building a brighter, more sustainable future starts with imagining what’s possible. Through our conservation and sustainability programs, we take tangible steps to inspire change around the world,” says Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Animals, Science and Environment for Disney Parks.
As an accredited institution of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Animal Kingdom has collaborated with other members to help increase populations of endangered and wild species, such as the Guam rail and Guam kingfisher.
Following AZA’s Species Survival Plans, the park has welcomed a variety of endangered species of animals into the world, including Sumatran tigers, western lowland gorillas, African elephants, cotton-top tamarins and okapi.
Since its inception in 1995, the Disney Conservation Fund has committed $125 million and the expertise of its staff to support organizations that work with communities to save wildlife, inspire action and protect the planet.
