Animal Kingdom quietly reopened its lemur habitat, just as a second Ankole calf arrived
Disney's Animal Kingdom has reopened its Discovery Island lemur habitat and welcomed Raisin, its second Ankole calf of 2026.
Two animal updates just changed the guest experience at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Ring-tailed lemurs are once again visible on Discovery Island, and the park has also added a second Ankole calf this year, though she is not on the savanna yet.
Discovery Island's lemurs are visible again
The ring-tailed lemur habitat on Discovery Island has reopened after spending months behind construction walls. Work in the area focused on new rockwork, and guests can once again see the animals in their habitat near the Tree of Life.
The refreshed space now includes layered stone along the back and sides, sculpted logs built into the setting, a shallow pond, a grassy island, and ropes for climbing. Viewing remains split between glass panels for children and an open overlook for adults.
The lemurs were already active when the area reopened, with some moving through the grass near the water, others perched on stumps, and one seen jumping from a tree trunk. The viewing area itself is open even though the Discovery Island Trail section closest to the Tree of Life remains closed.
Guests stopping at the habitat will also find signs with facts about the species. One explains that ring-tailed lemurs engage in "stink battles" by waving scented tails. Another notes that Madagascar is home to more than 100 lemur species and that lemurs are among the world's most endangered mammals. The signage also points visitors toward conservation actions such as supporting cleanup efforts and wildlife groups.
A second Ankole calf has arrived, but she is still backstage
Animal Kingdom has also welcomed Raisin, its second Ankole calf born in 2026. For now, she is resting and bonding with her mother behind the scenes, and Disney has not announced when she will join the animals visible during Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Her arrival follows Cinnamon, who was born this spring as the park's first Ankole calf in more than 20 years. Cinnamon made her public debut on the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna in June.
Ankole cattle are known for their very large horns. According to the Livestock Conservancy, the breed comes from East Africa, where it is called Ankole in Uganda and Watusi in Rwanda and Burundi. The group says the breed developed more than 2,000 years ago, reached Europe as zoo animals in the early 1900s, and later came to U.S. zoos in the 1920s and 1930s.
For Animal Kingdom visitors, the immediate change is on Discovery Island, where the lemurs are back on view. The calf news is a look ahead, since Raisin will remain offstage until Disney's animal care team decides she is ready for the savanna.
