Nahtazu

I spend most days working at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Here is a brief history of the park:

It opened on earth day of 1998, and it is the largest of the four Disney parks at Walt Disney

World. (Actually, all other three parks could fit inside of it). In my opinion, it is also the most beautifulof the parks. The 500 acres have been meticulously landscaped, transforming what was once a swamp into a lush paradise fit for animals (and people) from all walks of life.

Over 1700 animals are on display, though every “enclosure” gives the animal a great deal of freedom. There are no wire fences or concrete floors, making this “zoo” a leader in the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). The Kilimanjaro Safari is an exploration by truck through the African savannah, a reserve home to dozens of animal species. With the

exception of a rescued baby elephant at the end of the trek, all the animals are real. All receive veterinary care, balanced diets suited to their needs, and care from keepers at a facility with a "no-touch" policy. These are wild animals, and we are all safer when we remember the instinctive nature gibbons and gorillas, macaws and muntjacs. Like Mufasa taught young Simba, "everything exists together in a delicate balance..."

Other areas of the park are dedicated solely to research and conservation. Since its beginning in 1995, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has donated $15.6 million dollars to conservation efforts in 111 countries. The Wildlife Tracking Center carries out projects to assess migration patterns in Florida's sea turtles, reproduction in Columbia's Cotton-Top Tamarins, and even vocalization among African elephants. One-third of all the property owned by Disney in Orlando is dedicated to native Florida wildlife, and remains undeveloped.

It is truly a marvelous place. "Nahtazu" is a fictional word that describes the animal kingdom. Pronounce it, "not a zoo." Here are a few words spoken at the dedication:

"Welcome to a kingdom of animals... real, ancient and imagined: a kingdom ruled by lions, dinosaurs and dragons; a kingdom of balance, harmony and survival; a kingdom we enter to share in the wonder, gaze at the beauty, thrill at the drama, and learn." Michael D. Eisner, April 22, 1998