Tucker, the first Masai Giraffe born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since 2021, has recently celebrated his first birthday. He first made his debut on Kilimanjaro Safaris around Earth Day 2025.
Tucker Celebrates 1st Birthday
Tucker celebrated his first birthday with special enrichment created by his keepers and Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center. Disney shared a video that details his birthday treats, such as giraffe‑friendly “cupcakes” and a birthday “cake.”
You can watch the video below:
The Masai giraffe is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with around 30,000 Masai giraffes remaining globally. Tucker’s birth supports the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, which focuses on maintaining genetic diversity and helping protect giraffes from extinction.
It is worth mentioning that Tucker can be seen on Kilimanjaro Safaris only, and not on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. His mother, Mara, first joined the savanna in 2015 and has given birth three times now. Her first calf, Jabari, was born in 2019.
30 Years of the Disney Conservation Fund
Tucker’s milestone comes as the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) celebrates 30 years of supporting wildlife and habitat protection. Since 1995, DCF has directed more than $132 million to conservation programs worldwide, helping protect species like giraffes and the ecosystems they depend on.
What is DCF?
Established on Earth Day, April 22, 1995, the DCF was created to help protect wildlife and their habitats and connect people with nature. Through funding from The Walt Disney Company and the support of guests visiting the Disney Parks, the DCF offers financial support for conservation programs.
Disney helps to protect endangered species, restore habitats, empower future conservation leaders, and address global environmental issues, all thanks to DCF grants to local and global non-profit organizations and Disney Conservation Cast Members.
The DCF came about thanks to the creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World (which opened in 1998). Since then, the DCF has helped to continue a conservation legacy started by Walt Disney himself and inspire action and a love for nature, animals, and planet Earth.
DCF by the numbers (since 1995):
$132M invested in wildlife and nature conservation across half the countries in the world and all five oceans
1,000+ species of wildlife that Disney has helped to protect
315M+ acres that Disney has helped protect globally
600+ organizations supported through grants from the DCF
Millions of awe-inspiring nature experiences provided to kids and families across the globe
Have you seen Tucker at Kilimanjaro Safaris? Let us know on social media.
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