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Keep an eye out for 3 new baby animals at Animal Kingdom this summer

Aug. 19, 2021
3 min read
Animal Kingdom Giraffe Calf
Keep an eye out for 3 new baby animals at Animal Kingdom this summer
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Giraffes, hippos and gorillas — oh my! This summer, Disney World in Orlando welcomed three new babies to its Animal Kingdom park, and you can now see all of them while on your visit.

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When baby animals are born at Animal Kingdom, they spend some private time with their mothers to bond and nurse. But eventually, the Disney team releases the name, sex and other details to the public as the animal's official introduction to guests.

Humphrey, the newest Masai giraffe calf at Disney World, was born in June but only recently stepped out onto the savanna for the first time.

Humphrey, a Masai giraffe calf, made his savanna debut July 29, 2021, at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Humphrey has been backstage bonding with mom Lily since his birth in June, and now joins the troop on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Guests may "spot" Humphrey by his unique butterfly marking over his right shoulder and the heart-shaped markings dotting his coat. (Photo courtesy of David Roark/Disney)

You can see him with his mother, Lily, and the rest of the giraffes while on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Disney's Vice President of Animals, Science and Environment Dr. Mark Penning shared an Instagram post on Humphrey's first day on the savanna, telling guests they can spot him by a unique butterfly marking over his right shoulder and heart-shaped markings on his coat.

In mid-July, Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomed not one, but two additions born in the same week: a Nile hippopotamus calf and a western lowland gorilla.

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(Photo by David Roark/Disney)

Both sets of parents were paired through the Species Survival Plan, a program overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The goal is to create healthy and genetically diverse populations of vulnerable or critically endangered species.

Disney has yet to release their names, but you can still potentially spot Tuma and her hippo calf on Kilimanjaro Safaris, or Azizi and her baby gorilla at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.

(Photo courtesy of Disney)

Being able to see the animals is one of the best parts of visiting Animal Kingdom, but being able to watch the babies run and splash and play is something truly special.

If you do have a trip planned to Disney World's Animal Kingdom in the coming weeks, be sure to keep an eye out for these three adorable additions.

Featured image by David Roark, photographer
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.