Conservation Station

Wally wanders down dark but not dangerous jungle trails

- by Walter Octavius March, February 28, 2011

KUNGALOOSH!

My fellow adventurers, I've wandered into the Animal Kingdom again.

Since I am used to be being on safari and living in the farthest reaches of Africa and Asia, I feel a connection with the Animal Kingdom Theme Park. I love this place: the call of the wild is in the air and jungle drums beat in the distance. It seems like home.

Wally Tells a Story at the Kusafiri

As we wander past the Tree of Life and toward Africa, I see our first stop of the day, the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery.

Here we can pick up an apple turnover and a cup of Joe before we start our safari. While we're eating, let me tell you about the time I was on safari in the Asian Village of Anandapur with Arjun, the proprietor of the Yak and Yeti...

After I had finished an exquisite meal at his establishment and prepared to retire, I was told that Arjun would like to share a nightcap. As we talked, the conversation turned to the beautiful animals native to the area. We decided that in the morning we would venture out to see them. Armed with my favorite Canon and telescopic lens, we left at dawn.

We found the most amazing animals as we trekked through the jungle of Maharajah. We photographed fruit bats, tigers, and Komodo dragons. I presented Arjun with some of these pictures and he honored me by hanging some of them in his bedroom...

Oh, I'm sorry, I see you've finished your coffee and turnovers, haven't you?

Well, then, onward!

Wally Boards the Wildlife Express

Our adventure begins on the Wildlife Express. This rustic African train is the only mode of transport to our destination. While on board, as the rules require, there is no cooking. Also, we must stay seated because the tracks are unlike those in America and passengers may fall from the train if they stand.

Having stayed in our seats, we reach safely Rafiki's Planet Watch.

Our actual destination is not Rafiki's Planet Watch but the nearby Conservation Station. To get there, we must walk from the train depot and through a wooded jungle.

As we walk, we'll read the informational displays about how we can help the animals that live in our own backyards. This section of the trail is called Habitat and it's home to the agile little monkeys known as the Cottontop Tamarind.

Wally Arrives at Conservation Station

Invigorated from our walk, we arrive at Conservation Station. The mural on one of its walls is covered with animals, hundreds of animals, and I enjoy staring at the mural both to marvel at its artistry and to spot its numerous hidden Mickeys, some of them even concealed in the animals' spot and eyes.

A Cast Member once told me that this mural contains more hidden Mickeys than anything else in the park.

Dragging ourselves away from the mural, we walk into the building and see that it is full of plants and life. While we're here, we'll take advantage of all the Station has to offer.

We sit in the Song of the Rainforest booth and listen to the story told by Grandmother Willow from Pocahontas. The story explains how the many different sound effects we hear have their origins in the Rain Forest.

Leaving the booth, we take the self-guided backstage tour of the Animal Kingdom. It is quite a relaxing tour as we don't have to travel anywhere: it occurs at a kiosk where we can observe different areas of the park through the same cameras ('eyes in the sky') that Cast Members use to monitor the animals.

What a capital idea! As I catch sight of a rhino, I'm reminded of that time in Africa when I was quietly observing a pack of rhino only to sneeze, alerting the beasts (the second largest animals on earth!) to my presence, whereupon I knew I was in a spot of trouble except that I am always thinking, and so...

Sorry, I got carried away, and we haven't even seen what we came to see.

We're here to see animals up-close and personal - but safely, unlike my rhino adventure. To do so, we join one of the Animal Encounters offered throughout the day at the Station. We might have the chance to stroke a lizard or even a snake.

For novice adventurers, it's a fantastic opportunity to learn more about animals and perhaps even step outside to the Affection Section and visit with chickens, sheep, and llama. We might even be able to observe Disney Veterinary Staff perform surgery on a sick or injured animal in one of the Veterinary Treatment Rooms.

But now the day is fading to night, and we must reboard the train back to Harambe...

Wally Returns to Harambe

If there's still time, we'll head deeper into Africa and trek the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail where we can catch sight of hippos in the underwater viewing area.

Which reminds me of the time when I was on the Ihosy River in Madagascar and a river horse (what the locals called a hippo) came up from beneath my boat and capsized it. As I hit the water, the huge beast swam toward me. I knew I was in trouble when...

What's that, you must leave? No matter, I shall continue speaking in your absence...

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

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