Archive for June 18th, 2009

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the top priority is caring for the animals in a manner that ensures their health and wellbeing. Few castmembers approach their roles more seriously than the animal caretakers. The range of responsibilities is enormous and includes designing diet plans for each animal with daily preparation and feedings; monitoring health, behavior, and interactions; maintaining living quarters and grazing areas. They must train the animals to accept necessary daily checks without harm; formulate and implement plans for breeding and research programs; water, bathe, medicate, and perform required surgery – the list is endless.

The Backstage Safari is an intimate look at the behind-the-scenes efforts to provide optimum conditions for the contentment and longevity of a wide variety of species living in this vast, but closed, environment. The majority of the tour takes place backstage, and visits to some of the night houses, food preparation areas, the veterinary center, and “browse” gardens give guests a unique view of this amazing park, as well as an appreciation for the painstaking requirements of the AZA accreditation which it proudly holds.

Questions are welcomed by the guides who are eager to share their enthusiasm and dedication. If they don’t have the answer, someone will call a researcher and an answer will be forthcoming before the tour’s end!

The tour culminates in a private safari ride minus the usual onstage script, allowing guests ample opportunity for picture-taking and questions.

Review: There is a far more profound story being told here; one barely audible to the millions of visitors who come to enjoy the comical meerkats and the graceful tigers. It’s a story of animal vs. animal; starkly illustrated in the neatly packaged frozen mice and rats which will soon become another creature’s meal. It’s a story of animal vs. man and the desperate efforts to repopulate species whose numbers have been decimated in their natural habitats. It’s a story of animal vs. captivity as the behaviorists work to devise ways of keeping the animals active and challenged in an environment where they no longer need to struggle for survival. It’s a story about the need for caretakers to maintain minimal contact with animals for whom they feel great affection. I use the word “whom” advisedly here, because these animals are most definitely individuals to those who care for them. This is a tour for lovers of all animals; for those enthralled by their diversity, their beauty, their charm; for those who wish to hear this story.

Backstage Safari

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m.

3 hours

$70.00 per person/must be at least 16 year of age

Park admission also required