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Category Archives: DisneyNature
Disney Animal Expert Discovers Tiny Primate at Risk of Extinction
A tiny Colombian primate known for its distinctive punk-rock hairstyle is in imminent danger of extinction, according to new research done by an animal expert at Walt Disney World Resort. The findings paint the clearest picture yet of a dwindling population at risk.
The endangered cotton-top tamarin is found in a small area of northwest Colombia. According to the research featured in the journal Nature Communication, there are now just 7,000 of the species left in the wild.
“Everything we do at Disney’s Animal Kingdom revolves around caring for wildlife and wild places,” said Dr. Ann Savage, senior conservation biologist at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “Our research project is an example of the leading edge work our animal experts are doing around the world. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, all of us are committed to using new technologies and new techniques to study animals.”
Cotton-top tamarins are threatened by habitat destruction, where natural forest is converted to cattle pasture, and trees are used for housing and fuel. They are also captured as part of an illegal wildlife trade.
Averaging about ten inches long, cotton-tops are tiny in size and hard to see since they live high up in the forest canopies and flee at the first sign of people. Before the study, there was no reliable estimate of how many of these animals are left in the wild and no feasible method of counting them.
However, Dr. Savage knew that cotton-tops tamarins were attracted to the sound of tamarin vocalizations. That proved to be the key to surveying the shy animal. So Dr. Savage, working with Dr. Len Thomas of St. Andrews University in Scotland, developed a technique of playing recordings of cotton-top tamarin calls and counting the animals that came to find the source of the vocalization. Because of the work of Dr. Savage and Dr. Thomas, cotton-top tamarins are now on the list of the world’s 25 most endangered primates.
Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom can spot the cotton-top tamarin shortly after stepping off the train at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where they can also learn what’s being done to protect the species.
Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has Announced the 2010 Grant Recipients
Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has announced the 2010 recipients of nearly $1.5 million in grants to protect vulnerable wildlife and ecosystems around the world. The funding enables nonprofit organizations to provide support for more than 45 species across the globe–from protecting the critically endangered Sumatran rhino in Indonesia, to tracking northern jaguars in the foothills of Mexico, to studying the threats of the endangered green sea turtle.
“As part of Disney’s longstanding commitment to the environment, the work supported through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund is more important today than ever in helping preserve our planet’s most precious resources,” said Dr. Beth Stevens, senior vice president, Environmental Affairs, The Walt Disney Company. “We are proud to support these organizations that are truly making a difference around the world to aid in the protection of wildlife and the natural environments they depend on to flourish.”
Over the past decade, the DWCF—through support from The Walt Disney Company and Disney Guests—has provided more than $15 million in grants for the study of wildlife, protection of habitats, land management plans, community conservation and education. Along with a focus on support for species and habitat conservation science, the DWCF encourages programs that engage local residents and benefit both human and animal communities.
Below is a highlight of some of this year’s recipients:
· Wildlife Trust: Black Lion Tamarin Conservation through Research and Community Involvement – Wildlife Trust teaches communities about sustainable development alternatives, including tree nurseries and handicrafts, to protect the black lion tamarins living in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
· Northern Jaguar Project: Northern Jaguar Feline Photo Project – In an effort to reduce jaguar mortality and build conservation alliances with rural landowners, Northern Jaguar Project works directly with local ranch owners in Mexico to monitor and protect the species.
· Save the Elephants: Elephants and Bees – Save the Elephants minimizes human-wildlife conflict by studying and researching innovative strategies to reduce crop-raiding. By using beehives as a deterrent, community crops are left un-touched and families have a new source of income through honey production.
· University of Hawaii: Conserving the Green Sea Turtle in Hawaii – This program advances the understanding of the impact of pollution on endangered green sea turtles. Through further research, conservationists are able to work more effectively with local communities and governments to protect the turtles.
· International Rhino Foundation: Sumatran Rhino Conservation – The Sumatran rhino is considered the most endangered rhino species with numbers declining more than 70 percent in the past two decades. International Rhino Foundation is protecting the species through research and outreach programs in local communities.
To date the DWCF has accomplished the following milestones:
· More than $1 million to primate conservation efforts
· More than $900,000 to protect cats worldwide
· More than $850,000 to elephant conservation
· More than $850,000 to study and save sea turtles
· More than $625,000 to rhino conservation efforts
Since 1998, the DWCF has also awarded more than $575,000 in Rapid Response funds to assist with more than 120 environmental and animal emergencies. In the past year, the DWCF has provided more than $125,000 to support efforts worldwide including veterinary care and vaccinations for animals in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti and rehabilitation efforts for the thousands of sea turtles affected by the winter cold snap in Florida. In 2009 additional support was provided through Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green in which 100 percent of iTunes proceeds of the inspiring program anthem “Send it On” were directed to environmental charities through the DWCF.
To view a complete list of the 2010 grant recipients and read The Walt Disney Company’s most recent Conservation Report, visit www.disney.com/conservation.
Disney Helps Ocean Conservation Efforts With “Oceans” On Blu-Ray And DVD
Disney as always remains focused it’s impact on the environment. I am glad to see the portion of the procedes of the sale of this Bluray/DVD going to the Nature Conservancy.
Here is the article:
With the focus on the world’s oceans more than ever following the disastrous BP oil spill, World Oceans Day has more of an impact this year than ever. Disney is showing their efforts with the release of “Oceans” on Blu-ray and DVD, by contributing a portion of sales to The Nature Conservancy.
“Oceans” is set to release on October 19th, 2010 in a Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack, which also includes a DVD, and a 1-Disc DVD standard set.
Disneynature, the studio which brought audiences “Earth” last year, has committed to carry on the “See Oceans, Save Oceans” initiative which started with the film’s theatrical release. A portion of sales will be donated to the Nature Conservancy which works to protect marine habitats and establish new ones in Oceans near the Bahamas. Moviegoers who went to see the film in theaters already helped conserve more than 35,000 acres of coral reef.
Directed by Jacques Perrin, who won the Academy Award for Best Documentary for Winged Migration, and narrated by actor Pierce Brosnan, who himself is a major contributor to the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s “Save the Whales Again!” campaign, “Oceans” takes viewers swimming alongside whales, dolphins, and more as high-definition cameras travel deep into the ocean to uncover the mysteries of the big blue world. The movie grossed $75 million worldwide upon its release last April.
Donations to the Nature Conservancy, one of the world’s largest conservation organizations, will be made with purchase of the Blu-ray Combo Pack or DVD of “Oceans” during the week of October 19th and 25th.
Click here to keep reading.
Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green Keeps on Growing!
What a difference a year can make. For the planet and for kids!
Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green is celebrating its one year anniversary with the premiere of all-new content.
Starting May 30, new on-air messages will begin airing on Disney Channel and Disney XD. They feature nearly forty Disney stars including the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, as well as young environmental heroes. The spots will also be featured on Radio Disney and the recently redesigned program website, www.Disney.com/projectgreen.
A Program With Purpose
The aim of this ambitious movement is to empower children to take charge when it comes to the environment, whether it’s their own piece of the planet or a big picture approach.
“With Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green, kids are discovering that helping the planet is easy and fun when they work together and have the right tools,” said Jennifer Anopolsky, senior vice president, Corporate Responsibility, The Walt Disney Company. “In just one year, participation has exceeded our wildest expectations and we’re building on that momentum by extending Friends for Change to kids in other parts of the world and enhancing the program with fresh new content, local community events, and more grant money that will empower kids with even more ways to get involved.”
Twelve months after the launch of Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green, kids have made nearly two million personal promises to change their daily routines, from unplugging electrical devices when not in use, to taking shorter showers.
Kids can also go global with their votes on where to allocate Disney grant money. As a result, one million dollars in grants from Disney are now supporting 25 critical environmental projects around the world.
With the new videos and web content debuting May 30, young people will learn even more ways to recycle, save water, help habitats and reduce energy consumption. They will also have the opportunity to again vote on how another $1 million in grants will support worthy environmental causes throughout the year.
Kids Making A Difference
Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green is setting the pace for environmental initiative. With nearly two million promises, kids have pledged to:
– Cut 70,000 tons of carbon emissions annually
– Reduce/recycle 2.4 million pounds of trash annually
– Save 120 million gallons of water per month
Kids are also learning about the power of their vote. Thanks to their input, Disney has donated more than one million dollars to 25 environmental projects in 15 countries, including:
– $50,000 to the National Resource Council to help fund a forest restoration project in Costa Rica.
– $25,000 to the African Wildlife Foundation to help protect elephant habitats in Zambia.
Kids can turn their own local environmental project into a reality. Disney’s Friends for Change grants, in collaboration with Youth Service America, provide seed money to help get them started. The next call for grant applications opens June 7. To date, these grants have positively influenced nearly 8,000 kids. See http://www.youthserviceamerica.org/grants/programs/friends-for-change for more information.
Kids can also help raise money through iTunes downloads of Disney’s Friends for Change anthems Send It On and Make A Wave. At last count, nearly $700,000, representing 100-percent of download proceeds, have been contributed to the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. (www.Disney.com/conservation)
Full Speed Ahead
Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green is set expand locally and globally in the coming year:
– Local events in cities across the country will inspire kids through hands-on experiences including tree-planting and clean-ups. The first event kicks off June 6th, World Oceans Day, at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.
– Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green launched last month in Latin America. Kids have already made more than 200,000 promises! European markets are next in line.
About Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green
Disney’s Friends for Change: Project Green is a multi-platform initiative that empowers kids to help the planet. Through the program, kids learn practical ways to help the environment, get their friends involved, track their collective impact and have the opportunity to help Disney decide how to divide $1 million in annual donations to various environmental causes. Kids can join for free at www.Disney.com/projectgreen.
DisneyNature to Save 35,000 Acres of Coral Reef in Bahamas
Disneynature’s Motion Picture “Oceans” Helps Establish a New Marine Protected Area
Disneynature announced today that its “See ‘OCEANS,’ Save Oceans” campaign will protect more than 35,000 acres of coral reef in The Bahamas on behalf of the moviegoers who came out to see Disneynature’s motion picture “Oceans” during its opening week. Through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, Disneynature will help establish new marine protected areas through the The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt a Coral Reef program. At 55 square miles, this protected area of coral reefs will be almost two-and-a-half times the size of Manhattan or the equivalent of more than 412 Disneylands, supporting the expansion of the Westside National Park of Andros.
The Bahamas represent an important ecosystem, straddling the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The 700 islands that comprise The Bahamas contain miles of vital coral reefs, which are the foundation of a healthy ocean environment, providing shelter, nurseries and feeding grounds for hundreds of marine species, including dolphins, sea turtles and a wide range of fish. Scientists estimate that the coral reefs of the Caribbean could be gone in 50 years without a network of well-managed marine protected areas.
“We’re excited to once again collaborate with The Nature Conservancy on an initiative that takes the impact of Disneynature’s storytelling to an entirely new level,” said Alan Bergman, president of The Walt Disney Studios. “The health of our oceans is absolutely vital to the well-being of our planet and thanks to the supporters of Disneynature’s motion picture ‘Oceans,’ this investment in marine conservation will help ensure critical aquatic environments will thrive for future generations.”
“Disneynature has captured the beauty, wonder and fragility of our world’s marine habitats and species in ‘Oceans,’ said Mark Tercek, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy. “We appreciate Disney’s commitment to help protect marine areas in The Bahamas, which is home to 30 percent of all coral reefs in the Atlantic Ocean. With Disneynature’s support, The Nature Conservancy and its partners are making significant progress toward our ambitious goal of doubling the total amount of marine protected area in The Bahamas.”
Throughout Earth Month, Disney also supported The Nature Conservancy’s initiative in stores and online adding an additional 4,000 acres protected. In Disney Stores (DisneyStore.com), proceeds from sales of eco-friendly “Save Planet Earth” reusable bags benefit the Adopt a Coral Reef program. In addition, a donation on behalf of the company’s environmental youth initiative, Disney’s Friends for Change (Disney.com/projectgreen),
is also supporting the cause allowing kids to vote on which region of coral reefs the contribution will protect.
In The Bahamas, 300,000 acres are currently protected along the west side of Andros Island. The Nature Conservancy and its local partners have worked to define new marine protected area boundaries, which would result in growing the total protected area from 300,000 acres to more than a million acres.
This is the second consecutive year that Disneynature has collaborated with The Nature Conservancy to protect the planet. Last year, Disney offered to plant a tree in honor of every moviegoer who saw “Earth” in the first week of release. This resulted in the planting of 2.7 million trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, one of the planet’s most endangered rainforests as part of The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign (plantabillion.org). Similar initiatives through DVD sales and Disney Store promotions pushed that number to nearly three million trees.
For more details on Disneynature’s collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, please visit disney.com/Oceans.
ABOUT THE MOVIE
Disneynature, the studio that presented the record-breaking film “Earth,” brought “Oceans” to the big screen on Earth Day, 2010. Nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface is covered by water and “Oceans” boldly chronicles the mysteries that lie beneath. Directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud dive deep into the very waters that sustain all of mankind—exploring the harsh reality and the amazing creatures that live within. Narrated by Pierce Brosnan and featuring spectacular never-before-seen imagery captured by the latest underwater technologies, “Oceans” offers an unprecedented look beneath the sea in a powerful motion picture. For more information, visit disney.com/Oceans, become a fan on Facebook: facebook.com/Disneynature or follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/Disneynature.
ABOUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Nature Conservancy and its more than one million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at nature.org.