Conservation Photos
The stewardship of natural resources and our environment has a name at The Walt Disney Company. It’s called “environmentality.” It encompasses the attitude and commitment to do what is right for the environment and right for responsible business. Each of Walt Disney World Resort’s approximately 58,000 Cast Members are encouraged to practice environmentality everyday.
Think of Walt Disney World Resort as a small city – it has all the elements that go into providing support services for thousands of people – water, energy and waste management. In partnership with Reedy Creek Improvement District, the Resort strives to focus on conservation, waste minimization, education, awareness and research. Both organizations are committed to making smart choices and actively seeking ways to show their environmentality.
The Nature Conservancy's Disney Wilderness Preserve is a lasting testament to Disney's commitment to develop responsibly and conserve the Florida environment. The 12,500 acre wetland area is home to over 300 wildlife species, with 18 species listed for special protection.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute researchers in Florida examine tiny Queen Conchs in the laboratory. This conch project involves aquaculture technology with educational outreach to increase the protected conch population in the wild. The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund supports this projects and many others conserving marine species in the world's oceans.
Jerry Montgomery, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, and Kim Sams, the manager of Conservation Initiatives at Walt Disney World, present a check from the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) to anti-poaching patrol members with the Northern Rangelands Trust in Kenya. The DWCF helps in their efforts to conserve the endangered Grevy's Zebra and other wildlife.
The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) has supported big cat conservation projects through various organizations including the Cheetah Conservation Fund. This year the DWCF celebrates a milestone of $10 million to wildlife projects since Disney's Animal Kingdom opened in 1998, with over $439,000 going to cheetahs, snow leopards, tigers, and other feline species.
Students from the Ares Primary School in Antigua get their first opportunity to learn about the endangered Antiguan Racer, a snake found only on their island. Fauna and Flora, International has been working for several years to conserve this species with the support of the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.
Dr. Beth Stevens speaks to guests about the importance of conservation and how the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund works to conserve wildlife and wild places around the world. Dr. Stevens, the vice president of Disney's Animal Kingdom is also the president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Mt. Everest, the inspiration for Disney's Animal Kingdom's newest attraction, Expedition Everest, looms in the distance. A team of research biologists from Disney and Conservation International explored the species and the culture of the Himalayas to bring authenticity and detail to Expedition Everest.
A researcher from Florida's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute releases a sawfish with a transmitter tag to learn where these unique animals travel. The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund supports various projects aimed at collecting crucial information to aid in species conservation
Dr. Beth Stevens, the Vice President of Disney's Animal Kingdom, is also President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for 2006. The AZA and Disney's Animal Kingdom work closely along with other zoos and aquariums to provide the top standard of care for their animals as well as inspire and educate guests to care about conservation.
A mother giraffe takes care of her new calf at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world and this calf is a celebrated 6 foot addition to the multitude of exotic animals roaming the 33 acre savannah. One of Disney's newest resorts, the Lodge is inspired by the cultural splendor and picturesque beauty of a South African wildlife reserve.
Isabella Rossellini enjoys an afternoon safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Rossellini, recognized for her modeling and acting career, is a dedicated conservationist. She helped the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund celebrate the milestone of $10 million to wildlife projects since the opening of the Park in 1998.
A new hippopotamus joins the 96,000 gallon hippo viewing environment. Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is home to the largest herd of hippos in the Western Hemisphere.
Guests on the Kilamanjaro Safari get their first look at the third baby elephant born at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Nadirah, meaning precious and rare gift was born on December 19, 2005, weighed 233 pounds, and is a great success for scientists and zoologists working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. A team of elephant experts has been working for five years to develop a successful breeding program, and the birth of three elephants is monumental for this endangered species and the dedicated professionals that work with these animals.
Two cotton-top tamarins investigate the camera. Disney's Animal Program Cast Members including Dr. Anne Savage, along with the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, have worked to understand and conserve these highly endangered primates in the tropical forests of South America. Cotton-top Tamarins can be seen as you wind down the trail to Rafiki's Planet Watch at Disney's Animal Kingdom.
The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) is supporting organizations such as the Northern Rangelands Trust to conserve Grevy's Zebra and other African wildlife. Every year the DWCF supports many organizations working for species and habitat conservation around the world.
Dr. Anne Savage, Senior Conservation Biologist at Disney's Animal Kingdom holds up a "recording" collar designed to monitor the ultrasonic sounds produced by elephants. Dr. Savage directs the scientific and guest programs of the Wildlife Tracking Center, looking at behavior and the communication associated. Already, two sounds have been documented that have never been heard before.
Actress and conservation advocate, Isabella Rossellini looks over the various global projects supported by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) displayed at Rafiki's Planet Watch at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The DWCF honored Rossellini for her enduring dedication to several wildlife organizations.
Cast Member, Alicia Fredrickson, carries a rehabilitated sea turtle, equipped with a satellite transmitter, back to the ocean. Epcot's The Living Seas successfully rehabilitates sea turtles and manatees until they can be returned to the wild, and the transmitter will help in monitoring their progress.
Safari Mickey and Minnie greet guests at the Tree of Life, the centerpiece of Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Tree of Life is covered with 103,000 leaves, stands 145 feet tall, and has more than 325 different animals carved into its trunk.
Three young students take measurements of a group of Queen Conchs in a program run by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute with the support of the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF). The DWCF supports conservation projects with sound science, long term goals, and community education and involvement.
These two girls in South America learn about local species and habitats through an educational booklet provided by Fauna and Flora International and created with the support of the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF). The DWCF supports projects that promote conservation through sound scientific research and those that form strong partnerships with local communities through communication and education.
A tiger looks up from the stairs of an abandoned temple, part of Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom. All tiger species are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching and other threats. The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund is working in various countries throughout Asia to conserve a multitude of species including tigers.
A butterfly rests on a Cast Member's hand at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Species such as the Miami and Karner Blue butterflies have been the beneficiaries of conservation projects supported by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.
The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) supports Operation Migration, which raises endangered Whooping Cranes and leads them from Wisconsin to Florida using ultralight aircraft. One of the world's most endangered cranes, these birds raised are raised in a captive setting are taught to follow migration routes of previous generations. This project is made possible with support from organizations such as the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund.
Swift Fox populations are increasing in the Blackfoot Indian Reservation where Defenders of Wildlife is working with the support of the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) to reintroduce them. The DWCF works with organizations in the United States and other countries to promote conservation efforts that will have a positive impact for future generations.
Miss Junie Martínez, the oldest living resident of Tortuguero, Costa Rica, escorts a transmitter-bearing green turtle to the sea. The turtle was named "Miss Junie 2" in honor of Tortuguero's beloved matriarch. This sea turtle wears a satellite tag so the Caribbean Conservation Corporation can track its progress. Not long after the Caribbean Conservation Corporation began tracking its movements, the turtle was discovered harvested by fisherman. The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund has supported tracking devices in many projects to uncover the mysteries of where sea turtles go in order to develop beneficial strategies for their protection.
Researchers with the Tapir Preservation Fund (TPF) use radio telemetry to track an endangered tapir. This group works in Central and South America to preserve this elusive species. The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund supports the work of TPF and many other organizations doing beneficial field work across the globe.
The Black-Breasted Puffleg is one of many birds that the American Bird Conservancy is working to protect with support from the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF). Already, the DWCF has supported over 90 projects around the world working to protect endangered bird species.
A Cast Member at Disney's Vero Beach Resort talks to a young guest about the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF). Guests contribute to the DWCF in various locations such as Disney's Animal Kingdom, Epcot's The Living Seas, Disney's Cruise Line, and this Resort and receive a special pin commemorating their contribution to joining Disney in helping wildlife and wild places.
Representatives from Disney's Animal Kingdom and the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) present a check to Cynthia Moss from the African Elephant Conservation Trust located in Kenya. The DWCF has supported over 480 projects in more than 68 countries.
One third of Walt Disney World property is dedicated conservation area and home to a multitude of Florida native species, such as this great white egret.
A red-eyed tree frog found in the rainforests of Central and South America. Conservation International, with support from the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund is working to conserve this frog and other amphibian species and the valuable habitats in which they live.
Conservation - Chimpanzee at Disney's Animal Kingdom
A researcher for Conservation International tracks elephants with a radio transmitting collar purchased by the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF). Conservation International is one of more than 110 organizations that have been supported by the DWCF.
Dr. Anne Savage, Senior Research Biologist from Disney's Animal Kingdom, spends some time with children of the Himalayas. Dr. Savage and other researchers from Disney and Conservation International explored the Everest region and its culture.