Earlier this January, Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge welcomed the birth of two Ruppells Griffon Vultures. They’re the first hatchings of this threatened species at Walt Disney World. Each chick weighed less than six ounces and was about eight inches long, a far cry from what they’ll grow up to be – up to three feet in height and 15-20 pounds, with a wingspan of nearly eight feet.

Over the past twenty years, the population of Ruppell’s Griffon Vultures has been declining, leading the International Union for Conservation of Nature to raise the species’ status to threatened. Members of Disney’s Animal Programs Team hope to increase the species population and generate more awareness of the challenges these birds face.

However, the Ruppell’s Griffon Vultures wouldn’t be the first threatened or endangered animal to be born thanks to the efforts of Disney. Though Animal Kingdom is obviously themed around animals, many may not realize that the park is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, meaning that it has met and exceeded the standards in education, animal conservation, and research.

In addition to Ruppell’s Griffon Vulture, Disney welcomed a newborn calf to a herd of African elephants at Animal Kingdom last summer. Twenty-six-year-old Moyo gave birth to a 327-pound male, a significant birth since African elephants are endangered and challenging to breed. And last December, Animal Kingdom saw the birth of its 28th Gerenuk calf, born under the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s Gerenuk Population Management Plan.

To learn more about animal conservation and see what Disney is doing, the best thing you can do is take a train ride over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Animal Kingdom. There, guests can see endangered cottontop tamarin primates up close at the Habitat Habit!, a fun and educational wildlife trail dedicated to the preservation of animals. You’ll learn about different conservation efforts as you get an up-close look at the inner workings of Animal Kingdom.

Also, don’t miss a chance to visit the Conservation Station, the center of Disney efforts to promote wildlife conservation awareness. A behind-the-scenes look at the animals of Animal Kingdom, Conservation Station allows guests to meet with animal handlers, learn about veterinary care, and other day-to-day activities at Animal Kingdom. You’ll also take part in a variety of wild animal experiences, interactive shows, and games. There’s even a veterinary hospital viewing window that allows guests to watch medical procedures conducted by the veterinary staff.

Similar to Animal Kingdom, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is dedicating to giving people a greater appreciation for wildlife. Home to a wide variety of animals that either originated from Animal Kingdom or other zoos, the lodge is a working wildlife reserve with a 33-acre savannah. Its species include Grant’s zebra, Thomson’s gazelle, sacred ibis, Ankole-Watusi Cattle, white-bearded wildebeest, and more. All the animals inhabiting the lodge savannah return periodically to an on-site animal care facility for feeding and routine care.

There’s no doubt that when it comes to the conservation and care of animals, whether stable in the wild, threatened, or endangered, Animal Kingdom is the cat’s pajamas – and the cat’s shelter, too. Take a trip into the wild and see what you can do to help; check out Walt Disney World tickets today at OrlandoFunTickets.com.