Disney News

Ranger the Rhino Calf Makes Kilimanjaro Safaris Debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

Denise ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Hi everyone!

Four-month old white rhino calf Ranger joined his mom Kendi as he debuted yesterday on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.

Ranger, a 4-month-old white rhino calf, made his debut today on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Park guests now have a chance to see Ranger explore his new environment as he and his mother, Kendi, begin spending more time on the savanna after bonding for the past few months out of guest view. Ranger has been playing, wallowing in the mud and interacting with the entire rhino herd. (David Roark, photographer)

 

Scott Terrell, DVM, DACVP, Director of Animal & Science Operations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts says on the Disney Parks Blog of the newest addition to the savanna, Ranger was eager to explore his new environment with his head high and ears up – plunging right into the mud alongside Kendi for a good wallow before running around to see all the new savanna sights. This rambunctious rhino calf made fast friends with his “aunties” Lola and Jao, and mom Kendi kept close by to make sure Ranger stayed out of trouble. Of course, such an adventurous morning requires lots of energy, so there was plenty of nursing and napping going on, too.

Kendi and Ranger will be spending more time on the savanna in the coming days. It will be fun to see them there! Terrell mentions in the article how rhino calves and giraffe bond backstage for a while as keepers teach training behaviors before they debut on the savanna. Other animals like gorillas or mandrills may join their moms onstage almost immediately.

Have you watched “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” on Disney+? You can get to know some of these wonderful animals in a different way.

Congratulations to Ranger on his savanna debut!