No more poaching on Disney's Kilimanjaro Safaris

Sounds like the poaching storyline, what's left of it from the original, are leaving the Safari starting in March:

Changes are coming this fall to Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney's Animal Kingdom. This attraction takes guests on a safari ride through a 100-acre savannah full of free-roaming animals. It is a guest favorite, who love seeing the 34 species of animals. This spring, the poaching storyline in the ride will be removed, by taking out the "Little Red" audio-animatronic elephant who has been captured by poachers. A new savannah area will be created here instead and have a watering hole for zebra, who aren't often seen on the Safaris because of their location. Work will begin in March and will be done by fall. The attraction will not close during this refurbishment.

Avatar at Animal Kingdom

Well, this could get interesting...guess I'll have to watch the movie now

We have great news to share today. At a press conference happening right now at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Iger and Tom Staggs just announced a long-term creative partnership with James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the fantasy world of AVATAR to life at Disney Parks. And it’ll all begin at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort.

Want to meet Jane?

No, the other ape lady named Jane:

The Jane Goodall Institute is sponsoring an exclusive VIP Weekend at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge featuring the chance to spend time with the renowned primatologist over President's Day Weekend, February 18-21, 2011. Trip highlights include: private VIP transportation to and from Orlando International Airport; three nights in a savanna-view room in Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge; exclusive breakfast with Dr. Jane Goodall and some of Disney's famous characters; intimate campfire with Jane Goodall overlooking a savanna, including stories, hot chocolate, s'mores and more; special Backstage Safari Tour; gala dinner featuring an exclusive private performance of the Festival of the Lion King; access to Disney's theme parks with Park Hopper passes.

Some new additions to Disney's Animal Kingdom

From over at the Disney parks Blog:
Baby Warthogs and Oryx Join Disney's Animal Kingdom Family

Remember Pumbaa from “The Lion King?” Three real-life Pumbaas – baby warthogs, all males – were born July 1. This is the first litter for their mom, who is doing an excellent job raising her offspring. The births are a result of a recommendation of the warthog Population Management Plan program coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

In the wild, warthogs face challenges related to habitat destruction. Counting the new piglets, we now have four male and two female warthogs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney’s Animal Programs animal care experts expect the baby warthogs, which are currently in their backstage home, to be out on the Kilimanjaro Safarissavannah with their mom in several weeks.