Animal Kingdom lemurs are back, and a second Ankole calf was born

Ring-tailed lemurs are back on Discovery Island after months behind construction walls, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom welcomed Raisin, its second Ankole calf of the year.

The lemurs are back at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and they’re not shy about it.

The ring-tailed lemur habitat on Discovery Island has reopened after construction walls surrounded it since at least July, BlogMickey reported on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Crews used the time to finish new rockwork.

Several lemurs were already out and running around when BlogMickey stopped by. One leaped off a tree trunk, a pair poked through the grass by the water, and a couple sat on stumps refusing to share their snacks.

Here’s a walk through the Discovery Island Trails from Disney Park Vibes, filmed in August 2025, before the walls went up:

Where are the lemurs at Animal Kingdom?

On Discovery Island, along a trail with the Tree of Life rising behind their home. You can spot the tree from several of the viewing areas.

One catch: the Discovery Island Trail that runs near the Tree of Life is still closed. The lemur viewing area sits completely outside that stretch, so you can still visit, BlogMickey noted.

What’s new in the Animal Kingdom lemur habitat?

Mostly the rockwork. Carved, layered rock now rises along the back and sides of the habitat, with sculpted logs built right into it.

The rock wraps around a shallow pond and a grassy island, and ropes stretch across the island for climbing. Kids can look in through glass panels, while adults get an open view over the top.

The lemurs seem to like the stumps. They give the animals a place to eat in plain view, so you can get a close look at those orange eyes and striped tails.

What do the lemur signs at Animal Kingdom say?

They’re full of fun facts. One sign explains that ring-tailed lemurs start “stink battles” by waving their scented tails at each other, BlogMickey reported.

The same sign says lemur groups gather in open areas to sunbathe after cold forest nights. That might explain why they look so relaxed on a warm Florida afternoon.

Another sign notes that Madagascar is home to more than 100 lemur species, and that lemurs are among the most endangered mammals in the world. Both signs suggest ways to help, like joining a forest cleanup or supporting conservation groups.

Who is Raisin, the new Ankole calf?

Raisin is the second Ankole calf born at Animal Kingdom this year, Chip and Company reported on Thursday, Oct. 15.

She’s resting and bonding with her mom behind the scenes for now. Disney hasn’t said when she’ll head out onto the savanna at Kilimanjaro Safaris, and animal care teams have kept the birth details private.

Raisin has a big sister of sorts. Cinnamon was born this spring as the park’s first Ankole calf in more than 20 years, according to Chip and Company.

Cinnamon made her public debut on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna in June. Raisin’s turn will come when the animal care team says she’s ready.

What are Ankole cattle?

They’re the cattle with the giant horns. The breed comes from East Africa, where it’s called Ankole in Uganda and Watusi in Rwanda and Burundi, according to the Livestock Conservancy.

The group says the breed developed more than 2,000 years ago and is known for its extra-large horns. Ankole cattle first went to Europe as zoo animals in the early 1900s, and U.S. zoos brought them over in the 1920s and 1930s.

If you’ve ridden Kilimanjaro Safaris, you’ve probably seen them. Those horns are hard to miss from the truck.

What else is changing at Animal Kingdom?

Plenty, and most of it is behind walls. Tropical Americas, the new land replacing DinoLand U.S.A., is set to open in 2027 with an Encanto attraction and a new Indiana Jones ride.

That ride, Indiana Jones and the Myth of the Jade Serpent, is going into the old DINOSAUR building. Recent aerial photos show more of its Mayan temple in place, BlogMickey reported this month.

At the land’s main entrance, crews have started setting crumbling rockwork into the archway to give it an aged look, BlogMickey reported on Oct. 14.

Until then, the animals are carrying the show. Between the lemurs and two new calves, Animal Kingdom’s cutest headlines this fall don’t involve any rides at all.

Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.

Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

Hat Tips:

• BlogMickey (Oct. 14, 2026), the reopened lemur habitat and its signs

• Chip and Company, Sara (Oct. 15, 2026), Raisin and Cinnamon

• Livestock Conservancy, Ankole-Watusi breed history

• BlogMickey (Oct. 11 and Oct. 14, 2026), Tropical Americas construction

• Disney Park Vibes on YouTube (Aug. 17, 2025), the Discovery Island walk-through

AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.