Walt Disney World’s animal-care teams prepare more than 10,000 pounds of food each day for the resort’s more than 5,000 animals, according to WESH. The animals represent more than 300 species.
Four nutritionists design diets for the animals, said Dr. Heidi Bissell, Disney’s animal nutrition operations manager. A separate team prepares the food, while another handles deliveries.
The work varies by species. Staff members work with gorillas through protective mesh, Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko, a staff veterinarian, told WESH. That setup helps protect both people and animals, but can make routine care such as X-rays and toothbrushing more complex for trainers.
Bakari, Disney’s newest silverback gorilla, is especially fond of black beans, according to primate zoological manager Rachel Daneault. The beans can be offered one at a time during scans. Bissell also said gorillas receive tea as a morning treat, with wildberry among their favorites.
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The daily program covers animals of very different sizes, from silverback gorillas and tigers to aardvarks. Disney staff say the individualized diets are part of the behind-the-scenes care required across the resort’s animal population.
