Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom

Sep 25, 2020

On the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, Kenya, a Masai giraffe, steps up for a pedicure that could make Disney history as animal keeper Rory and the team attempt to provide unique hoof health by training her to undergo a “nail” trim, voluntarily. Kenya proves to be a very apprehensive patient, but the team perseveres knowing one small step for her is one giant leap for the park’s giraffes. Meanwhile, out on the savanna, African elephant Mac, -- the park’s biggest resident -- has a routine checkup that reveals a mouthful of mystery. Over in the Affection Section at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, it’s make or break for a much smaller resident, Popcorn, a rescued chicken with an egg problem who requires surgery. Behind the scenes, Disney Imagineers, including the visionary Joe Rohde, dream up a magical palm tree that illuminates the elephants during the park’s evening safari.

Oct 2, 2020

Gino, the most admired western lowland gorilla at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, celebrates his 39th birthday with animal manager Rachel, who’s known Gino since he was a teen. Gino’s presented with a storybook-worthy cake, but festivities are stalled when he struggles to overcome a chest infection. Meanwhile, animal keeper Lori notices a lump on beloved alpha lioness Kinsey, which requires urgent medical attention, but transporting the 300-pound cat to the Veterinary Treatment Room poses a challenge. Over at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, aquarist Amanda, who’s expecting her first child, prepares to welcome another little ray of sunshine into the world: a spotted eagle ray pup. At Discovery Island, trainer Katelyn teaches two newly arrived macaws, Santiago and Emmett, the navigation skills needed to become members of the Winged Encounters flight team.

Oct 9, 2020

For the first time in the park’s history, Hartmann’s mountain zebras arrive on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Keeper Meaghan and the team do their best to acclimate the mischievous herd and prepare the other animals to meet their new neighbors, including a curious young Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Clementine, and mom-to-be Prima. Meanwhile, babirusa pig Betty is introduced to a bachelor babirusa, Mentari, with the hope that the plucky pigs hit it off and give the park its first-ever babirusa piglet. At The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, an 1,800-pound rescued manatee, Lou, has a potentially infected tail, so keepers must use a crane to lift him out of the aquarium to transport him to the Veterinary Treatment Room for a high-def CT scan.

Oct 16, 2020

Oct 23, 2020

Oct 30, 2020

Nov 6, 2020

Nov 13, 2020

Jan 1, 2023

Giraffes stop traffic, a lemur has a birthday, and a hippo makes friends.

Jan 1, 2023

Elephants date, a pony gets a dream job, and a gorilla battles ill health.

Jan 6, 2023

A rhino cracks his horn, sea turtles are rescued, and a zebra gives birth.

Jan 13, 2023

An okapi is born, a raven shines on stage, and a mandrill finds a new home.

Jan 20, 2023

A pioneering gorilla treatment, rhino fitness tracker, and tortoise party.

Jan 27, 2023

A giraffe X-ray, painted dog pack checkup, plus an adorable flamingo chick!

Feb 3, 2023

An eel has anemia, a hippo visits the dentist, and a tortoise moves in.

Feb 10, 2023

A young zebra undergoes urgent abdominal surgery after an encounter with an eland's horn; two meerkats jostle for top position in the meerkat mob.

Feb 17, 2023

A critically endangered antelope is losing weight fast and needs urgent surgery; a baby rhino takes her first steps out on the savannah.

Feb 24, 2023

Jolo the rescued manatee battles a potentially deadly parasitic infection that puts her release in jeopardy; Kianga the elephant throws a temper tantrum.