calf being born . Babies are generally cute , but the most adorable for me are baby elephants , rhinos , and aardvarks ; they are always so funny to watch . The young elephant getting frustrated with his trunk that doesn ’ t seem to do what he wants it to , or the rhino that looks like the incarnation of a bouncy ball — they all make one appreciate the magic of nature .
What are some of the quiet or backstage moments that the animals and keepers have experienced that were impactful to you , but that guests never get to see ?
Disney has welcomed many giraffe births over the years . PHOTO BY CLIFF WANG
First-time moms sometimes need more attentive care . Our keepers train them to voluntarily position themselves for ultrasound scans so that we can monitor the development of the fetus , and of course , these exams can tell us how many babies to expect .
We always celebrate new births , whether it be the hatching of a leaf-tailed gecko , a critically endangered blue-crowned laughingthrush from China , or a giraffe
Doing a dive in the main tank at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT is always inspiring to me . It is so quiet down there and so rich with life . I value those quiet moments when one can be surrounded by nature and shut out everything else . Walking through Disney ’ s Animal Kingdom at sunrise is such a beautiful experience , with the lions roaring in unison , the gibbons sounding like a wayward ambulance siren as they leap around on branches high up in the trees , the birds all celebrating the birth of a new day , and the crisp fresh air of early morning . It is a special time indeed .
Let ’ s face it : You ’ re Insta-famous ! And so are the animals you so diligently post about . What do you hope your Instagram fans take away from these intimate looks at the lives of these animals ?
That is very kind , thank you , but I hope it is my team and the animals they care for that are famous . My hopes for the