Theme Park Scope

There’s a new reason to keep your eyes on the savanna during your next safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests can now spot Ivy, the park’s newest Masai giraffe calf, on Kilimanjaro Safaris. The young giraffe officially made her debut on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve savanna on June 11, giving guests their first chance to see the newest member of the herd.

Born in April to mother Willow, Ivy has spent the past two months growing behind the scenes and reaching important developmental milestones before making her public debut. Animal care teams monitored her progress closely to ensure she was ready to join the larger savanna environment alongside the rest of the herd.

A Shy New Addition to the Savanna

According to Disney’s animal care team, Ivy is a bit more reserved than some of the park’s previous giraffe calves. During her first morning on the savanna, she stayed close to Willow and rarely wandered far from her mother’s side. Cast Members noted that Ivy is not as outgoing as her half-brother Tucker, making her personality stand out in a different way.

At just over two months old, Ivy already stands nearly six feet tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds. Despite her impressive size, she still appears tiny when standing alongside the adult giraffes that call the Harambe Wildlife Reserve home.

The Story Behind Ivy’s Name

Disney also revealed that Ivy’s name continues a long-running tree-inspired naming tradition among the park’s giraffe herd.

Her mother is named Willow, while other giraffes in the herd include names such as Maple. Animal care teams selected Ivy’s name from a list of tree and plant-inspired options because giraffes spend much of their lives feeding on leaves and branches high in the treetops.

Supporting Conservation Efforts

Ivy’s birth is more than just an adorable addition to Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Masai giraffes are classified as endangered, with roughly 30,000 remaining in the wild. Ivy is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which helps maintain genetic diversity and support the long-term future of the species. Her arrival contributes to broader conservation efforts both at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and around the world.

Disney’s conservation teams hope that seeing Ivy in person will inspire guests to learn more about giraffes and the challenges they face in the wild.

Keep Your Eyes on the Savanna

Guests riding Kilimanjaro Safaris now have the opportunity to spot Ivy alongside Willow and the rest of the giraffe herd. As she becomes more comfortable on the savanna, Disney expects guests will see her exploring more of her new home in the months ahead.

For now, though, don’t be surprised if you find her staying close to mom as she settles into life on one of Walt Disney World’s most beloved attractions.

Stay tuned to Theme Park Scope for more Disney’s Animal Kingdom news, animal updates, conservation stories, and Walt Disney World announcements.