“I have learned from the animal world, and what everyone will learn who studies it, is a renewed sense of kinship with the Earth and all its inhabitants.” – Walt Disney
One of our all-time favorite parks on Disney property is Animal Kingdom. Maybe it’s the back to nature feel, where you’re anywhere but a theme park, or maybe it’s the people you meet, the animals you recognize, or the new species you’re introduced to. Five years ago, with only one toddler in tow, we took a Kilimanjaro Safari ride that would change our family forever. Our daughter first met the Okapi, a friend that would soon decorate her room in stuffed animal form and appear on our tv in ever animal special we can find. This is one of my favorite things that Disney does!
Disney is so much more than just a theme park, it’s a company that cares and gives back to the world in ways we all could only dream of doing. The Walt Disney Company created the Disney Conservation Fund to help make the world a better place. Their goal is to inspire us to care, to take action, to help our world regain what’s been lost and keep what we still have. They’ve directed more than $70 million to protecting the planet and saving wildlife all across the globe, now what can we do???
Well, that’s the question my sweet little girl asked herself? We’ve talked a bit about the dangers that wildlife face but after our last visit to Disney and a few okapi Secret Life at the Zoo episodes later, she wanted to make a change. So that brings me to our Conservation Campaign.
Oh, by the way, have you googled the okapi yet??? It’s by far one of the cutest, most unique animals I’ve ever seen. A relative of the giraffe, you’ll notice a striking resemblance with a long neck and almost identical giraffe head, on top of a brownish horse body, and decorated with zebra-striped legs. A docile, vegetarian, the okapi calls the Congo Rainforest home, but sadly populations have dropped by 50% since 2005. These poor animals are victims of illegal logging, mining, and poaching in their natural habitat and as a result their numbers have dwindled to endangered levels. But there’s some good news, thanks to Disney and their participation in the Species Survival Plan, we now are seeing several okapi calves growing up at Animal Kingdom. This is huge!!!
And my little girl has made it her goal to help too, to play some role in this bigger picture of conservation. So together we’re going to kick off our own Conservation Campaign. Check out our video to learn more and stay tuned to see how you can help!
-FTCLindsay
“Conservation isn’t just the business of a few people, it’s a matter that concerns all of us… If we will use our riches wisely, if we will protect our wildlife and preserve our lakes and streams, these things will last us for generations to come.” – Walt Disney