Menu

Leader of Disney’s Terrestrial Conservation Team Gives Exclusive Interview In This Video

A family of five, including two adults and three children, stands at a wooden fence in the animal kingdom, observing a large elephant in a lush, green outdoor enclosure. The scene includes trees and plants, and the light suggests a sunny day. The adults smile, engaging with the children.
Credit: Disney

Although it may not seem like it, Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is anything but just a theme park.

Behind the scenes are hundreds of Disney scientists conducting important research toward the conservation, preservation, and appreciation of our natural world.

Disney recently shared an exclusive interview with one of these scientists, in particular: Dr. Zak.

animal kingdom entrance

Credit: Disney

READ MORE: Animal Kingdom’s Science, Environment, and Health Team Is Led Nearly Entirely By Women

Dr. Zak is a conservation manager, as well as the leader of Disney’s terrestrial conservation programs. His work has taken him not only to Central Florida, where he has worked on conserving the state’s natural biodiversity but to other countries as well. His nature conservancy work has taken him to Greenland, Costa Rica, and even Kenya.

Hear about Dr. Zak’s biodiversity conservation efforts firsthand with this video:

READ MORE: Animal Kingdom Announces Half a Million Dollars Donation For Florida Conservation Efforts

Dr. Zak’s work toward environmental conservation is anything but over, and he hopes to study land animals and their ecosystems for the rest of his life. According to Disney, he hopes his work will take him to a “tropical forest” in Asia or Africa next.

animal-kingdom-gorilla

Credit: Disney

READ MORE: Animal Kingdom Isn’t a Half-Day Park, Guests Are Just Missing Out on Half of the Attractions

This is just a small part that Walt Disney World Resort plays in the worldwide effort of nature conservancy.

Although a day spent at Animal Kingdom is always a wild time (thanks to attractions such as Expedition Everest and Avatar Flight of Passage), just know that real scientific research is constantly being conducted beneath the surface.

lions in kilimanjaro safaris

Credit: Disney

READ MORE: Video Shows Once-In-A-Lifetime Animal Encounter on Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris Attraction

For even more information on Dr. Zak and his conservation efforts, check out Disney’s full story and report here.

About Isabella Reimer

Isabella Reimer grew up visiting Walt Disney World and relocated to Central Florida to be even closer to The Most Magical Place on Earth. She earned her Bachelor’s from Florida State University, where she studied Creative Writing and Women’s Studies. Her biggest hobby is bonding with the ikran at Avatar Flight of Passage, and her retirement plan includes becoming the 1,000 Happy Haunt of the Haunted Mansion.