The kids will love getting so close to a variety of friendly animals including llamas and pigs. Ask one of the staff and they will be happy to 
give you a brush to show you the correct way to groom the goats and sheep too. The goats are San Clemente goats, a species just about extinct at their native home on San Clemente Island. The sheep are descendants of those dropped off by early European explorers, to reproduce in North America and be a source of fresh meat when the explorers came back. These sheep evolved to having less wool, and just about became extinct when they were needed for food. This is the only place you will get to touch animals at the park. Stay as long as you like and if you have small kids, this area offers wonderful photo opportunities. There are hand washing facilities on your way out.
Go in search of gorillas! Along the way, enjoy a nature walk through an exotic bird aviary, an underwater hippo viewing area, and a savannah overlook. Pangani, which means ‘place of enchantment’, is the perfect description of this five acre habitat that offers a look at Africa’s most interesting inhabitants. This walk through attraction is packed with animals and is home to a couple of troops of gorillas whose habitat is so well designed that you will be hard pressed to discern the barrier that separates them from you.
Also on the trail guests will see the beautiful okapi and even a naked mole exhibit (don’t worry everything at Disney is PG)
The okapi is the only known living relative of the giraffe. They are dark brown in colour with distinctive stripes on their legs, similar to zebras. The most giraffe like feature of the okapi is their very long, black tongue. This is a very shy animal native to the tropical forests of north eastern Zaire.
The first time you will encounter the gorillas will be behind a gla
ss viewing area where you will see a 500 pound silverback, his ladies and his children. Exit this section and you will come to an open air viewing area with gorilla troops of bachelors on both sides of you.
The opportunity to view an underwater hippo area is not to be missed. Watch as these oversized beasts wade through the water with great ease. View them both above and below water level.
Trek through flora and fauna for an adventure into the wilds of the Anandapur Royal Forest of Southeast Asia. You’ll encounter spectacular wildlife beginning with the Komodo dragon. Next are flying fox and Rodriguez fruit bats with 6-foot wingspans. Then the walk’s highlight—Bengal tigers roaming the grasslands surrounded by gentle deer and black buck antelope. Stare into the eyes of a tiger if you dare! This breath taking journey ends in the Asian bird sanctuary where you can spot exotic varieties of our feathered friends.
Climb onboard an open sided safari truck for an adventure through the savannah. The whole family can enjoy catching a glimpse of a mandrill or laughing at the exploits of the hippos as they take a leisurely bath.
Keep your camera ready…you never know if you have to come to a complete halt for a rhino in the road or wait for a baby giraffe to catch up to its mother.
Lions, rhino, hippo, impalas, ostrich, giraffe, elephant, wild boar, and many more. No two rides are the same as the animals roam the land…..see how many you can spot.
Often missed attraction as people pass on to other places. Great attraction when the day is at its hottest. The covered area is cool and shaded.
Take a relaxing stroll down beautiful pathways and trails, over wooden foot bridges and through cave-like tunnels, and stop at the viewing areas to observe and photograph a rich variety of exotic animals.
Galapagos tortoises, lemurs, kangaroos, capybaras, cockatoos and cotton-top tamarin monkeys are just some of the fascinating creatures you may encounter along Discovery Island Trails. There is also a glass-paneled observation area where you can watch river otters frolic above and underneath the water.
You can approach the Discovery Island Trails from a number of different directions and can enjoy the viewing areas in any sequence.
The Discovery Island Trails surround the base of the Tree of Life.
Animal Encounters at Discovery Island Trails:
- Abdim’s Stork
- African Comb Duck
- Agouti
- Asian Small-clawed Otter
- Axis Deer
- Blue & Yellow Macaw
- Cape Teal
- Capybara
- Demoiselle Crane
- East African Crowned Crane
- European Polecat
- Eyton’s Whistling Duck
- Galapagos Tortoise
- Greater Flamingo
- Green-winged Macaw
- Hadada Ibis
- Red Kangaroo
- Ring-tailed Lemur
- Saddle-billed Stork
- Salmon-crested Cockatoo
- Silver Teal
- White Stork
- White-faced Whistling Duck
- Woolynecked Stork
- Wood Stork
Find yourself on lush, tropical garden pathways filled with wildlife such as wallabies, deer and exotic birds. With shady trails, a variety of flora and fauna, waterfalls and meandering streams, and early morning mist that covers the ground, the Oasis Exhibits are more than just an entryway into the park. Watch for the Parma wallaby, tree-kangaroo, giant anteater, sloth and exotic birds like the Hyacinth Macaw in these natural habitat settings that are home to a variety of animals.
Most people pass through this Oasis very quickly on their way to somewhere else, so it is often missed as a first attraction. Take a stroll during the hot parts of the day, where you really will get full benfit of the shade. Most of the animals in this area also benefit from shade and cooling waters, so will be about even at peak sun times.
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