29 Animals Die at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, Feds Launch Investigation

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility that welcomes millions of guests annually. The Walt Disney World Resort theme park participates in endangered species breeding programs through the Species Survival Plan and allocates funds to conservation through the Disney Conservation Fund.

However, not many Disney Parks fans know that in 1998, the Central Florida Disney park was investigated by the federal government after a series of animal deaths.

Tragedy Leads to Government Investigation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

In early April 1998, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched an investigation into at least 12 animal deaths at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The investigation began just days before the Walt Disney World Resort theme park officially opened on April 22, 1998.

USDA officials said a series of anonymous and named complaints prompted the investigation.

Walt Disney World Resort admitted that in the months before Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park opened, four cheetah cubs died by toxic chemical poisoning; two exotic birds were crushed to death by a tour bus; a hippo died of blood poisoning; a white rhinoceros died while under anesthesia during a routine check-up; a black rhino died of an infection after swallowing a large stick; and two Asian small-clawed otters died after eating too many loquat fruit seeds.

At the time, a spokesperson for Walt Disney World Resort told the press that they would welcome investigators into Central Florida Disney Park, which at the time housed 1,000 animals. Federal investigators previously found the park in compliance with all regulations during a visit in February 1998.

“We will welcome them back and cooperate fully,” the Disney spokesperson said.

When the investigation was announced, the USDA wouldn’t say exactly what they were looking for. However, they warned that The Walt Disney Company could face fines or lose its animals if found violating the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Investigation Findings

Federal officials announced the results of their investigations on April 22, 1998–the same day Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park opened to the public.

The USDA revealed that it had investigated the deaths of 29 animals en route to or at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park between September 1997 and April 1998. It found that the causes of death ranged from “maternal neglect to fights among animals trying to establish territory or dominance.”

Other previously unpublicized animal deaths included a guinea hog, a litter of five chinchilla rabbits, and a gazelle who was kicked by a kudu.

The government cleared Walt Disney World Resort of all wrongdoing in the 29 animal deaths. However, animal activist groups like the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida weren’t happy with the findings.

“Not only does the result of the investigation have the appearance of a whitewash, but the announcement…on the same day as the park’s opening is extremely coincidental,” Timothy Ross, a lawyer for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, told CBS at the time.

Soon after the USDA released its findings, a 13-year-old hippo died of bacterial pneumonia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The USDA initially said it would wait until Walt Disney World Resort released a report on the incident to decide whether to file an investigation. However, the organization did not return to investigate the death.

Despite these tragic animal deaths, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park has been accredited by the AZA for years for its strong commitment to animal welfare. The AZA maintains strict accreditation requirements and repeatedly inspects facilities to ensure they are providing the best possible animal care.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT are also accredited by the AZA.

Do you have a favorite memory of any Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park animals? Share it with Disney Fanatic in the comments.