Eld's Deer

Species: Eld's Deer
Habitat: Forests of SE Asia
Status: Endangered
DAK Locale: Maharajah Jungle Trek

The Eld's deer is an endangered species located in Asia with three different subspecies found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and China. It is also sometimes called the thamin or the brow-antlered deer.

The Eld's Deer has been at the Animal Kingdom since the Jungle Trek opened in 1999, like this male

The species is generally found alone or in pairs. However, during mating season, a bull male will try to create a harem of several breeding females. He will spend a large portion of the time attempting to fight off rivals for his females. There is usually a single calf born which like many other types of deer have spots as camouflage for the broken light of the forest floor.

They are endangered. As a large deer species with impressive antlers, they are a popular game prize. They are also a favored prey for local hunters. In times of war, they would be slaughtered in mass to feed armies. In many areas, there is very little suitable habitat left thanks to deforestation.

By Safari Mike

Kigelia

Species: Kigelia
Habitat: Tropical Africa
Status: Not Endangered
DAK Locale: Harambe Village

The Kigelia is more popularly referred to as the sausage tree. It is named as such for obvious reasons as it has fruit that grows as a peduncle, hanging down from the leaves. They look much like sausages hanging from the branches. In some areas, it is also referred to as the cucumber tree for the same reasons.

It is an unusual plant as it is the only species in its genus. However, it is fairly widespread throughout its home continent from Chad in the Sahara all the way to South Africa.

It can grow to be 20 meters in height. The fruit is a type of berry that is commonly eaten by many species like monkeys, bush pigs, giraffe, elephants and hippos. The fruit is also used by local people as a medicine for all types of ailments from syphilis to snake bites to evil spirits. It is also used to make beer and is found in some skin care products.

By Safari Mike

Sarus Crane

Species: Sarus Crane
Habitat: Wetlands of India, SE Asia, Australia
Status: Vulnerable
DAK Locale: Maharajah Jungle Trek

This species of crane is nonmigratory although it will move short distances during the rainy and dry seasons. It is the tallest flying bird with some specimens measuring in at nearly 6 feet tall. Its generally grayish color is in stark contrast to the bright red feathers found on its head.

In India, this bird is the symbol of marriage. It is believed in myth that these birds mate for life and will actually starve themselves to death if they lose their partner. The latter is not really true, however. And frankly neither is the former in all circumstances (although many do mate for life). Nevertheless, the bird is revered and in the Hindu culture, eating the meat of the crane is taboo. In India they are sacred and left alone, and often the birds feel not threatened by man.

The sarus is known for its loud trumpeting calls which are often used in courtship. The male dances in order to attract a mate. Dancing is also used when the bird feels the young or nest are endangered as a way to distract would be predators.

The bird is officially listed as Vulnerable. However, it is locally extinct in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. The biggest threat to the bird is the conversion of their wetlands to farms. Many farmers believe the species is damaging to rice fields. The species is in greater danger in Southeast Asia. The populations in India and Australia, while down from historical records, are stable.

By Safari Mike

Bongo

Species: Bongo
Habitat: Dense Forest of Africa
Status: Near Threatened
DAK Locale: Kilimanjaro Safari

Many of us know the safari driver line about the "ghost of the forest," that is the bongo. It is called that due to its ability to blend into the broken light and foliage of the jungle. The chestnut brown fur and white stripes are deceptively good camouflage. Adding to its mystery is the fact that is mostly nocturnal (a trait generally not true for its savanna brethren). Also, it is one of the largest of Africa's antelopes and certainly one of its most beautiful.

The bongo lives in the densest jungles of Africa. There, it eats mostly leaves, grasses and roots as well the occasional fruit. It has a long prehensile tongue that it uses to pull up grass and pull off leaves. It will also eat the burnt bark of trees scorched by lightning, a behavior it shares with okapi. It is believed these animals do this to obtain otherwise hard to come by minerals.

This antelope species is currently listed as Near Threatened and estimates put the total population at around 28,000. Habitat destruction being the biggest culprit in the animal's decline, although its beautiful coat makes it a favorite poacher's target. It is part of the SSP program throughout North American zoos.

By Safari Mike

Spiny Devil Walkingstick

Species: Spiny Devil Walkingstick
Habitat: Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands
Status: Not Listed
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch

There is little doubt as to how this huge insect got its name. It lives in the forests of the some of the islands of Australasia and due its camouflage can be quite difficult to spot. But its so large (sometimes as much as 15 cm) it is often called the New Guinean land lobster. The legs are used by local fisherman as hooks.

Like all stick insects, these guys are vegetarians eating leaves and the like. They have very strong mandibles for pulling apart vegetation. They mostly feed at night using the protection of their camouflage during the day. They will form groups and will even migrate from foraging area to foraging area, an unusual behavior for this family of insects.

They are not listed by the IUCN, however there are some dangers to this species. Most importantly is of course, habitat destruction as the native forests of the area are its home. It is also commonly taken as a pet.

By Safari Mike

White Stork

Species: White Stork
Habitat: The Old World
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Tree of Life Gardens

On a hidden path behind the Tree of Life, one can find these graceful birds living along the Discovery river. They are nearly a global species being found throughout the old world. It is a long distance migrant, breeding in Europe (all the way to Finland), northern Africa and Southwestern Asia, while wintering in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent. When traveling from Europe though, it detours around the Mediterranean sea, over the straights of Gibraltar.

Like all storks, it has a long beak, neck and legs, to help catch its food, insects, reptiles and amphibians. They are quite social, with sometimes thousands making up a flock in migration. Although the social structure is loose, there is behavior like allopreening that helps maintain bonds, They also make a noise called bill clattering that sounds like a machine gun and is made with a rapid clicking of the bill amplified by a throat pouch.

In the 1980s, this bird was considered Near Threatened but it is now classified as of Least Concern. Due to its widespread distribution, it is the focus of many cultural stories. Not the least of which is the belief in European folklore that storks delivered newborns. German folklore had storks finding babies in caves only to bring them to deserving parents. Slavic folklore held that storks carried unborn souls to Earth. Because one stop on migration routes was Mecca, the bird is revered in Islamic cultures. In Ancient Egypt, the bird was associated with the hieroglyph for soul. Also, this one species is focus of at least three Aesop fables.

Sumatran Tiger

Species: Sumatran tiger
Habitat: Broadleaf forests, swamps and grasslands of Sumatra
Status: Critically endangered
DAK Locale: Maharajah Jungle Trek

One of the newest species to call Animal Kingdom home is also one of its rarest. This species of tiger is found only in isolated pockets on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is the smallest of the 5 remaining subspecies of tiger which is likely due to living in the dense undergrowth of the Indonesian jungle. Full grown males top out at about 300 pounds, compared to Siberian tiger males that can exceed 600 pounds. They are distinguishable not only by their size but by their large dark stripes and deeper color of orange.

Like all tigers, they hunt and generally live alone. They kill by stalking their prey until they are close and can ambush. The dinner menu includes the large mammals of the island, such as deer and boar. They are also good in water, as Sumatran tigers have partially webbed toes.

Mothers give birth to up to 5 cubs. These cubs weigh only about 2 pounds and are blind. After 2 months, the mother starts to wean them from milk and begins introducing meat. The cubs will stay with the mother until about 18 months of age when they are ready to find their own territory.

Like all tiger species, they suffer from illegal poaching for fur and Asian folk medicines even though it is illegal in Indonesia. Penalties of fines and jail time are significant for tiger poaching but it is difficult as law enforcement is very understaffed with a bare bones budget. There are only between 300 and 400 animals left in the wild and they are in fragmented gene pools due to heavy deforestation on the island. Genetic diversity is becoming an increasingly difficult problem. The deforestation and population growth has led to another serious issue - increasing conflicts with man. Attacks on people are more common now simply because there are more people near tiger habitat. There are also increases in the number of livestock killed by tigers as food for the cats runs out. It is becoming an untenable situation.

Blue tongued skink

Species: Blue tongued skink
Habitat: Woodland and Forests of  Eastern Australia
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch

The name of this lizard comes from, as I am sure you can guess, its bright blue tongue. The animal uses it as a defensive measure, essentially trying to freak out would be predators with its bright color accompanied with a viscous hiss. The species found at the Animal Kingdom is common in eastern Australia. There are other types of blue tongued skinks are found throughout the continent and Indonesia.

These animals are omnivores eating all types of plant and flesh. They commonly eat insects, snails, flowers and fruits. They do not have teeth but the jaw is powerful and can cling onto adversaries including potential predators. They are typically diurnal using the sun to heat up and search for food. It can, like some other lizards, detach the tail in an emergency. It will eventually grow back.

Most species of the blue tongued skink are doing well with stable populations. They are very popular in the pet trade, due to their gentle demeanor and relatively easy care. Despite this popularity they are still quite common in the Australian wild.

Rhinoceros Iguana

Species: Rhinoceros Iguana
Habitat: Caribbean Island of Hispaniola
Status: Vulnerable
DAK Locale: The Oasis

These lizards can grow over four feet in length and will range in color from steel grey to dark green or brown. The name comes from the stub, or pseudo-horn on the end of its snout. They also have pointed short scales from the neck to the end of its tail.

They eat mostly leaves, flowers and fruits. Some fruits rely on the animal for distribution. It was found that the local fruits germinate faster passing through the digestive system of the iguana. They are, in fact, the largest herbivores on the island. Males are fiercely territorial, mating with females that pass through their area.

Located on the island of Hispaniola, they are more common in the Dominican Republic. In Haiti, deforestation has become a major issue although they are somewhat common in the nation's parks. There are between 10,000 and 15,000 left in the wild, but are a common species in the pet trade.