Late last year, Theme Park Shark shared news that Disney’s Animal Kingdom had welcomed Baby Bakso into the streak of Sumatran Tigers that live at the Walt Disney World park – the first Sumatran Tiger cub born at the park in several years, and a great victory for the conservation efforts that Disney and its wildlife partners made to strengthen the population of this critically endangered species. You can read more about baby Bakso in our previous coverage [here] and [here].
Now, Theme Park Shark is happy to report that another little bundle of joy has been added to the herd at the Animal Kingdom. Recently Mara, a beloved Masai giraffe at the Animal Kingdom, gave birth to her third calf, who is happy and healthy and growing up – literally! Tucker, the skyscraper of a baby giraffe, was born in February and marks the first Masai giraffe calf born at Walt Disney World Resort since 2021. This is a testament to the ongoing conservation efforts that Disney engages in, dedicating themselves to species restoration and protection where it’s needed most. Masai giraffes, like the Sumatran tigers, are a endangered species with an estimated 45,000 animals left after a fifty percent decrease in their natural population due to escalated hunting and poaching. Disney has been a key element in strengthening that population, and Tucker represents an addition to the genetic diversity and continued longevity of the population.
After a brief period of observation, Tucker has now been introduced to the Animal Kingdom, and guests will get to witness his developmental journey as he takes his first steps, bonds with his mother, and explores his surroundings with a newborn curiosity. Mom and Dad will play a big part in Tucker’s life, as the family unit is closely involved in Masai giraffes. They stick together, so you’ll probably see them moving together on the Kilimanjaro Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Tucker and his mom, Mara, can thank the Disney Conservation Fund for the efforts that have made this miracle of life possible. The Disney Conservation Fund is celebrating its 30th anniversary during Earth Month this April – and that’s a pretty big thing to celebrate, considering the Fund has raised millions to support community conservation programs worldwide that work with local communities to protect wildlife, inspire compassion for our most vulnerable species, and promote sustainable environmental practices that will lead to a better tomorrow.
Disney’s facilities are unique in that they’re one of the few facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to house an on-site veterinary care hospital and team of wildlife experts that provide the highest standard of care to all its animals, ensuring that both the individual animals and overall progress can continue to thrive.
Since the Disney Conservation Fund was founded in 1995, Disney has invested 132 million in wildlife and nature conservation efforts that have helped to protect over one thousand species of diverse wildlife and over three hundred and fifteen million acres of natural habitat.
So we welcome baby Tucker and congratulate his proud mama, and look forward to what incredible things that the Disney Conservation Fund can achieve next. To learn more about what the Disney Conservation Fund does and how Disney has contributed to wildlife protection worldwide, check out their website [here] or their more in-depths mission and impact report from their 25th anniversary book [here].
Conservation has always been at the forefront of the Walt Disney Company, dating all the way back to Walt Disney himself, who has spoken on Conservation during some of his most influential speeches. The Disney Conservation Fund is simply a new chapter of the legacy that Walt Disney started all those years ago.
Check back soon, as Theme Park Shark will continue to report on the achievements of the Disney Conservation Fund, as well as other theme park news from Disney, Universal, and theme parks from all across the world!
