At Rafiki’s Planet Watch on Pollinator Day, guests can view live bees (very safely, of course!) and learn about the important role they play in pollination. Afraid of bees? Elephants are too! Guests can find out how this fear is being put to use to protect both elephants and people. Guests also can try on a pair of insect wings, follow the paths different pollinators take in a fun game, and learn how to create a pollinator garden.
Fun facts about pollinators:
- About 1,000 plants grown for food, beverages, fibers, spices and medicines depend on pollinators to grow. In fact, an estimated one-third of all foods and beverages is dependent on pollinators.
- Most pollinators (about 200,000 species) are beneficial insects such as butterflies, bees, beetles and wasps. About 1,000 pollinators are vertebrates, such as birds, bats and small mammals.
- You can help pollinators by reducing pesticide use and by creating a pollinator-friendly garden with native flowering plants that supply pollinators with nectar, pollen and homes.
- The Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) helps pollinators through a variety of projects around the world. Through support from the DWCF, a new species of butterfly was discovered in Myanmar, a country in southeast Asia.
Upcoming 2013 events for connecting families with nature (as always, dates subject to change):
At Disney’s Animal Kingdom –
- July 25: Tiger Day
- August 1: Primate Day
- August: Cotton-Top Tamarin Month
- September 5: International Vulture Awareness Day
- September 26: Elephant Day
- October 31: Bat Day
- November 12: Rhino Day
- June 8: World Ocean Day
- September 7: International Manatee Day