On a first visit to Disney World, you may be surprised by the volume of wildlife you encounter.
A place packed with tourists doesn’t seem like the ideal environment for wild animals to roam freely, but we’re constantly encountering small creatures like birds and squirrels and rabbits. “Beware of alligators” signs surround many of the large bodies of water and recently, there was even an incident where a bear was spotted in Magic Kingdom and the park had to be partially closed. But maybe all this wildlife access was intentional.
NPR recently did an interview with some Disney World Cast Members, discussing the Florida property’s relationship with wildlife. The interview focuses on how much of Disney World property is wild green space, giving animals plenty of room to roam in the spots between the parks and resorts.
Disney World conservation manager Zak Gezon was among the Cast Members interviewed. Gezon shared that providing space for wildlife was part of Walt Disney’s original plan for the property, saying, “he hand drew what Walt Disney World could look like, and it included a spine that went from north to south and east to west, and allowed for wildlife to live in harmony with humans in this space.”
The sections of green throughout the Disney property are some of the few areas that allow wildlife to safely migrate from the Everglades up to Orlando or the Green Swamp near Tampa. These patches of preserved areas are what members of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation hope to keep protected across the state.
Jason Lauritsen from the foundation said, “Fifty years ago, there were lots of different ways for wildlife to go back and forth. Now we’re down to one. There’s really one functional corridor.” The foundation calls this stretch of land “the last green thread” because it’s a necessary piece for Florida wildlife’s survival.
Due to Disney World’s success, the area around Orlando has exploded with tourism and concrete jungle in the last 50 years. All that development has narrowed down the wildlife area. But because Walt Disney purchased so much land for the Disney World project back in the 60s, “the last green thread” can currently remain untouched and undeveloped — protected within Disney property.
We’ll keep an eye out for any more wildlife news! Stay tuned to AllEars for the latest.
Click Here to See How Disney Removed the Bear From Magic Kingdom!
Have you ever spotted any wildlife in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
I’ve seen lots of wildlife in Disney…all kinds of birds, rabbits, turtles, and once, a bobcat!