Animal Kingdom Videos

Today, we discuss recent rehabs throughout WDW and if the outcome was better or worse then before the rehab.

We’ve been cooped up taking shelter from the rain with no communications or internet for the last few days. It was quite pleasant waking up to the sound of rain pouring down and not having to be anywhere or do anything, but I was eventually itching to get out. So I eventually got to do a little photo commentary to pull us through - enjoy. After a little wet weather the bugs are starting to make their appearance along with the flying ants. I shudder at the thought of the mosquitoes coming out in full force! Animals know when the rain is coming; the hyenas prudently took shelter in the hills in expectation of the wet weather, but they still come down to the communal den during the evenings to socialize. The elephant bulls are out and about looking for the high protein browse in the south of the reserve. Just before the rains came I paid a visit to Nduna Dam and ran into a Kori Bustard walking the edge of the dam. They are huge birds and this one was not in a hurry to fly away as I was shadowing it. Another great thing about summer is the summer visitor birds taking up residence on the reserve including the woodlands kingfisher with its expressive call.

Today, we answer your listener questions

Today, we discuss our choices for secondary icons in each WDW park.

Today, we discuss recent price increases and what you can expect to get in return.

Today, we answer your listener questions

Today, we discuss new, fun things to do while riding attractions at WDW.

I’m sitting listening to the sound of thunder and the rain pelleting the corrugated roof. Early rains help squelch the penetrating heat and this is always a blessing when people are screaming El Nino from all corners of the globe. The direct sunlight can really tire you out when you’re working in it everyday, it feels as if someone opened the fridge door to bring relief to the scorching heat. I attempted to track down the lions, but was unsuccessful; however, Kim caught them at Nduna Dam on a kill. What a surprise to find Manyari with cubs! She has been AWOL for months now, this would explain her keeping a low profile, and the cubs are already around four months old. I managed to run into a nice herd of Buffalo at what is left of Bandama Pan. Again this heat dries up the pans very quickly, but the Buffalo don’t seem to mind doing the mud wading thing to lap up what little water remains. The only problem is that invariably one of the youngsters get themselves stuck in the mud. This time the little guy was rescued out of the brown glue by Chitimela the research technician, but not all are as lucky. On the way back to base camp I came across a crash of eight white rhino, they were looking like they’d also braved the muddy Bandama waters. Two hyenas were lying around on the edge of Manyuchi at first light catching the cool morning breeze. It was not long before they returned to the communal den and collected all the little guys except the youngest and marched single file back past Manyuchi and into the hills. These guys are moving around now, I wonder what they’re up to. The ellies had trampled their way past the den a few nights back according to the tracks I found, maybe this spooked them. I was pleased to find all six of the older cubs as I was beginning to think that Chops was missing. So all is well in hyena land, while the wild dogs are showing signs of itchy feat and are exploring a little more East of Nyamasikana Pan, if they end up at Nduna looking for the lion’s share of the Impala, they could be in for a surprise. However, for now they seem to be returning to the fence line where they funnel the impala in between the fences and make light work of what would normally be a strenuous hunt. Back at Manyuchi pan I caught the sunset with a few cubs in the water and as I was sitting on the ground reviewing my photos, I heard some breathing other side the vehicle. When I looked up I noticed a young black rhino challenging “Dozer”. What an awesome time, the young rhino spent fifteen minutes playing around the vehicle, charging and exploring the metal lump! One older hyena cub was still around and tentatively came to test the prehistoric looking creature. Black rhinos have so much character, I had to wait till dark to see if he would drink. After he crept up to the water I let him drink and then flooded the pan with light to catch him on camera, he was spooked and ran off.

Today, Michelle and Emily join us to discuss Vegan and Vegetarian dining options throughout the WDW theme parks and resorts.

Today, we answer your listener questions

Go inside the lucrative black market for exotic animal parts.

Today, we discuss if certain events are worth doing or not..

Today, Lisa Battista author of "Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers" joins us to discuss taking preschoolers to Walt Disney World.

The dark clouds have been rolling in over Malilangwe, but with nothing more than the promise of rain. It is November already and anytime from mid-month onwards we can expect the down pours to start. I can still remember last year, when I was caught in a heavy storm and the water was flowing straight through my clothes as I cautiously navigated the muddy roads– it makes one feel like a kid playing in the rain. I’ve been getting some daily exercise walking up and down the hyena hill to check on the new den. I eventually found the two older mothers using a den right on the top of the hill in a different den than I thought previously. When I first spotted one of the older cubs roaming the hill I used my “special call” to attract their attention so they wouldn’t freak out by my presence. They came straight away to inspect and then strolled over to a crack in the rocks. I followed and took up a position on a nearby rock. One big mother then came out the den to see what new clan member had arrived; surprisingly, she was completely relaxed with me being there. I stayed for the morning to observed and take photos and get them used to me being around the new den. The hyenas and wild dogs had a huge confrontation South of Manyuchi two mornings ago, but nothing serious enough for them to eat each other. I received an update on Magwaza the lioness and her three cubs. They were hanging around Chitindigova Hill just North of Bandama Pan, always in the hills these lions, the cubs are growing strong and the ex-Nduna lioness is still mixed up with the pride with one other lioness. This unknown lioness seems to be lactating, which means there might be some more little ones on the way. It may be too soon to jump to conclusions, there is really no way to tell for sure, unless some mad person climbs into the hill to take a look. I think I might camp out in my vehicle over next few days to see what I can spot.

Today, we answer your listener questions

Today, we answer listener emails regarding Annual Passes.

I was standing on top of a rocky hill where the hyenas had crept into overlooking the northern section of the reserve and some ominous looking clouds blanketed the sky as I enjoyed the toposcope view. I was just thinking how quickly the year has gone and how it’s so important to savor every moment. “Do what you love… and you’ll never work another day in your life,” my friend always said to me, today I’m in agreement.. But I also say, “do what you love and love what you do, “ that way you’re never disappointed. I’ve been trying to track down where the older cubs have been disappearing to with a few of the other adults. They always come in to Manuchi from the Southern side of the pan, while the others from the old den in the North. I had finally found their secret den in the hills and while nobody was home, I heard some shuffling off as I found the den site. This is an old den they’ve used before and one the wild dogs have use also. I climbed down the hill side to get back to Manuchi before I missed out on the sunset sports, but none of the hyenas were there. They were all at the old den carrying on with the usual social activities. The younger cubs are both competing for a medal in bravery going on walk about and also all over my car. The one cub has a nice nature about it, but the other looks as if it will be a spirited one. I’ve been out with Kim on the dogs during the last two afternoons, they are doing well and starting to stretch their legs again. With the pups growing fast , they are moving greater distances and also killing Impalas by the half dozen. The other day they killed five in one hunt! They had a festive morning with hyenas at Forma Danga pan. The dogs got the better of them and chased them off, but never underestimate those spotties. We are making headway on the film side, but as one project draws to a close so it marks the birth of a new idea and project – exciting times.

A recording of our 37th LIVE show. Originally aired 10/25/09 on MouseWorld Radio 1. Presented By AllEars.net

This is a first for the Big D podcast, fan submitted footage. I would like to thank Matty and Lesley for sharing this footage of there recent WDW vacation. I have gone slightly away from the standard format on this one but I think it produced fantastic results by combining both Matty's and my footage. Kali River Rapids is a large inner tube river ride were you go careening down the river through the jungles of Asia and see some of the detestation and havoc logging can cause when care is not taken. There are some unexpected events in this footage and some great vista's of Expedition Everest along the way. I hope you will enojoy the Big D's first look at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Join the discussion at the: www.thedpn.com email me at: chris@thebigdpodcast.com Follow me at : www.twitter.com/thebigd or friend me on disfriends user: chreestopher