Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is home to thousands of animals, such as lions, tigers, giraffes, and so much more. With so many animal residents, it is no surprise that the theme park is dedicated to conserving, preserving, and appreciating the natural world.
Although Guests can enjoy thrilling attractions such as Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, and Avatar Flight of Passage, experiences such as Kilimanjaro Safaris and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail offer sightings of real animals.
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Kilimanjaro Safaris is an exciting trek across Central Florida terrain decorated by Walt Disney Imagineering to resemble the savannas of Africa. In this attraction, Guests board an open-aired ride vehicle on their trek. Further into the Disney Park lies the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, a self-guided outdoor tour where Guests can spot meerkats, zebras, and of course, gorillas.
Although these experiences are very different, they have one thing in common: during these experiences, Guests have the chance to spot one of Animal Kingdom’s most dangerous residents. We’re talking about the hippopotamus.
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When you see a hippopotamus, you may not realize it at first, but they are actually regarded as the “deadliest large land mammal on the planet,” according to Discover Wildlife. They’re very large, and their teeth are incredibly sharp. Although they’re herbivores, hippopotamus attacks kill hundreds of people every year.
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Despite how deadly they can be, they’re still appreciated and praised at Animal Kingdom by hundreds of Guests and Cast Members, and rightfully so! One Guest, in particular, recently captured a super cool close-up video of one of Animal Kingdom’s beautiful hippos.
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The Guest is viewing this hippo from the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, where Guests can watch these mammals underwater with a crystal clear view.
Which animal is your favorite to spot while visiting Animal Kingdom?