VIDEO: Yes, That IS a Fitness Tracker You're Seeing on Rhinos in Disney World!

We love so many things about Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The unique snack offerings, the rides, and of course, the animals!

Rhino in Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life!

While it’s awesome to get to see the animals out in their habitats throughout the day as you make your way through the park, what goes on behind the scenes is often even more interesting. For example, we’ve learned from Disney that lost perfume bottles are actually put to use in Tiger habitats, and now Disney is accessorizing rhinos — yes, REALLY!

The health and safety of all Animal Kingdom’s residents is something that is constantly monitored by Disney’s caregivers. Which is why one of the park’s white rhinos, Helen is now wearing…a fitness tracker?

©Disney

That’s right! According to Disney, this device monitors the number of steps she takes each day with an accelerometer and GPS tracker to see which area of the savanna she favors the most. The data from the experiment will be shared with over 24 other institutions all participating in a large research study on how to best care for white rhinos in facilities.

©Disney

Now, a fitness tracker for a rhino is a little different from the Apple Watches, FitBits, and Garmins that we know for us humans — it takes some getting used to! To get Helen accustomed to the device, her caretakers have had her wear it for an increasingly longer amount of time each day, but it’s always taken off at night. If she appears comfortable with it, many more of Animal Kingdom’s white rhinos (and hopefully around the world) will begin wearing the devices as well to help caregivers learn how rhinos behave differently in certain habitats.

You can learn more in the video below!

Isn’t technology amazing? Stay tuned to DFB and we’ll keep you up-to-date on all the Animal Kingdom happenings!

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