A Look That Says a Thousand Words

It is not often you get a chance to look into the eyes of one of earth's most magnificent creatures, but that happens every day at Disney's Animal Kingdom. On this day, I got to see the joy and calm of a mother with her infant.

This was one of my favorite days ever at DAK. The buzz and excitement this little baby gorilla generated around the park was amazing. And to get a chance to see mom and her baby together was an unforgettable treat.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Sleeping in the Lap of Luxury

When I photographed this bachelor gorilla at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, I watched him for some time trying to figure out what he was doing with that straw. Soon it became apparent that this boy prefers something a little softer and more luxurious to sleep on then just the cold dirty ground.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Some Serious Builders

The hamerkop got its name for no better reason then its head resembles a hammer. But I prefer to think the word "hammer" refers to this bird's amazing building ability. It makes HUGE nests which can often support the weight of a full-grown man! Pretty impressive stuff from a little bird. Fortunately, they don't try and turn the aviary at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail into a giant nest.

by Dave McBride

Hide and Seek With an Okapi

The Okapi exhibit at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of my favorites because it has the unique distinction of being part of two different attractions. You can see these cousins of the giraffe from both Kilimanjaro Safaris and the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Don’t miss them, but be patient. They tend to hide in the forest.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

The Easy Life at DAK

If my photography of Disney's Animal Kingdom has proved one thing, that is life as a black and white colobus monkey at DAK is not hard!  You can find them near the entrance of the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, but they are often a bit more entertaining then this

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Life is an Amazing Thing

Yes, it is. And it takes on an even more amazing quality when dealing with a species threatened with extinction. But zoos and conservations organizations are doing what they can, and at Disney's Animal Kingdom they can be the home and nursery for a new generation, like this little guy getting ready to feed on a lazy and carefree afternoon under the protection of the Pangani Forest.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

An Imperial Call to Action

We here at JamboEveryone.com were totally thrilled when we found out Disney's Animal Kingdom would be bringing a couple of Grevy's Zebra to the Pangani Forest Exploration trail. Also known as the Imperial Zebra, these guys are the largest and most endangered species of zebra. The population has experienced a 50% decline in the last twenty years and now there is only a couple of thousand left. Thanks to places like DAK, we can raise awareness of the need to act now.

They are amazing animals and we must do what we can to not lose them forever. The Grevy's Zebra Trust needs out help. You can donate here and help them save these animals.

A Weaver Caught in the Act

I can watch the weavers all day. They are a flurry of activity at the Pangani aviary. The males, a sparrow like golden bird, spends a lot of time and energy trying to attract females. In the case of the weaver, that's in the form of building elaborate nests. They will use twigs, leaves, even feathers like here.

These can beautiful birds are found the in aviary, as well. Take a few moments to watch them do their thing. They are gorgeous and entertaining.

by Safari Mike (@JamboEveryone)

Eating the Scenery

Let's be honest, every day is a good day for a gorilla photo! I love this one, but truth be told, my collections has dozens and dozens of photos of these photogenic friends!

I often think photos like this must drive the horticulture experts at the Animal Kingdom crazy. All that work making things pretty and the gorillas eat it! But in actuality, the experts love it.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

An Award for Helping a Beautiful Bird

A couple of weeks ago we reported on how Disney's Animal Kingdom won a prestigious award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for their participation in the species survival plan for the Golden Taveta Weaver. The weaver is a bright little bird, about the size of a sparrow, who loves to build nests, making often many of them in a single tree.

To learn a bit more about this bird check out Safari Mike's article. If you want to see one for yourself, head over to the aviary in the Pangani Forest Exploration trail...at least when it reopens.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Big Brother Again!

In honor of today's great news from Disney's Animal Kingdom about the birth of another baby Lowland Gorilla, I thought I would post one of my favorite photos from the gorilla exhibit in the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Here is one of the family group's new big brother.

by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

There's a Primate Party Somewhere??

This past week saw Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrate Primate Day, but it seems like this impressive bachelor silverback wasn't all that interested.

photo by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

Let's Go Climb A Tree!

How many of us would have loved to be able to do this when we were kids?  This little one found on the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail had no problems at all!

Whenever we feature a species of animal one of our Conservation Partners are working to help we always like to remind our readers how we can help save them.  Go to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund to see how we can help these amazing gorillas in the wild.

photo by Dave McBride (@RadioHarambe)

A Favorite

For this Animal Portrait, I went back into my archives to pull out what is really one of my absolute favorite photographs I have ever taken at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  I stood there for quite a while waiting to get this shot...

This is one of the handsome bachelor gorillas found along the Pangani Forest Explorations trail, and to his defense, I kinda deserved that look.  I mean, it must have been really annoying having some strange dude snapping photo after photo after photo.

And please keep in mind the dangers gorillas face in the wild.  There aren't many left and we need to do what we can to help.  As always, we encourage you to visit our conservation page to see how you can help save gorillas and assist those working to do just that.

by Dave McBride (twitter: @RadioHarambe)

Meerkats Are Cute!

Jungle Jim is back from the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail to send us some portraits of the famous meerkat population found there.  This one might be looking for predators, but in fact seems to be posing for Jim's lens.

And just in case you were curious, Discoverer Meghan, our 9-year-old animal lover, claims meerkats are, in fact, cute!

Hmmmm....

Today's photo Safari stops to take a pic of a female gorilla falong the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, and we call it "Hmmmm...".  As all of the guests on the bridge snapped photo after photo, this lady stared off into the distance, seeming to contemplate something important, while completely ignoring the movie star attention she was getting.

I literally can sit in this area taking photos and watching the gorillas for hours.  It is such an amazingly well themed and designed area you simply don't want to leave.

We can help save these creatures in the wild as well, as they face more and more threats.  Go to our Conservation Page to see how you can help.

by Dave McBride (twitter: @RadioHarambe)

The Tumble Gorillas!!

Those of you who have been to see the amazing Festival of the Lion King will certainly have seen or heard of the the world famous Tumble Monkeys.  But if you head over to the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail you may find yourself in the presence of a few Tumble Gorillas, including this one pictured below who, with that sheet wrapping around her, tumbled her way down that hill over and over again.

The gorillas found here can often be hilarious to watch, especially when its not too warm outside.  At certain times of the day handlers place "toys" into the habitat and the gorillas often enjoy them to the fullest.  This is true for a few of the species at Disney's Animal Kingdom.  That's why it is important when touring DAK to set time aside to see the animal exhibits, and often return to them at other times of the day.  Don't hesitate to ask a CM when the best times to visit are.

Also, it is critical to understand how close gorillas like this are to disappearing from the wild.  To learn more about them, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, go to our Conservation Page and see how you can help

photos by Dave McBride

No Smiles from this Silverback

This portrait from Jungle Jim is of a male silverback gorilla found at the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.  Obviously, Jim's constant pleas to have this guy smile for camera went ignored by our model.

Is there anything better than walking through the gorilla area of the Trail?  This area is breathtakingly gorgeous and the viewing of gorillas provides some fantastic and unique entertainment.  So next time you come of Kilimanjaro Safari, don't just run to your next FastPass time.  Turn right, and take an easy stroll through Pangani.  You will love it.

photo by Jungle Jim

Which Way Did He Go?

A walk through the Pangani Forest Exploration is one of the truly great experiences of Disney's Animal Kingdom and one of its most enjoyable exhibits is the local colony of meerkats.  When you go see them, you will likely notice they always have one member of the colony up high on the rocks looking out for danger.  What the other two are looking at in this photo at is impossible to tell.  Considering the complete lack of danger these guys face at Disney's Animal Kingdom, one can only assume the lookout's job is particularly uneventful anyway.

Photo by Jungle Jim