Timu, an eastern black rhino, is now out on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Eastern black rhinos are one of the most endangered rhino subspecies, and Timu joins a busy year of new arrivals.
Keep your eyes open on your next safari ride. There’s a new rhino out there.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom introduced Timu, an eastern black rhino, on Oct. 2, 2026, per MickeyBlog and WDWInfo. She’s now living on the savanna and can be spotted from Kilimanjaro Safaris.
“Introducing Timu, the newest member of the Animal Kingdom family,” the Animals at Disney account posted on Instagram, per MickeyBlog.
Where can you see Timu at Animal Kingdom?
On Kilimanjaro Safaris, the open-vehicle ride through the park’s African savanna, per WDWInfo.
Rhinos tend to hang out near mud wallows and shady spots, so look for her near the water or tucked by the trees on warm days. As with every animal on the safari, there’s no guarantee you’ll see her on a given ride. That’s part of the fun.
Guests can also see rhinos on Wild Africa Trek, a paid guided tour, per WDWInfo.
What is an eastern black rhino?
One of the rarest big animals on the planet.
Eastern black rhinos are one of the most endangered rhino subspecies, per WDWInfo. Black rhinos as a species are listed as critically endangered, mostly because of poaching for their horns.
Despite the name, black rhinos are gray, just like white rhinos.
The bigger difference is the lip: black rhinos have a pointed, hooked upper lip for grabbing leaves and branches. White rhinos have a wide, square lip for grazing grass.
Black rhinos are also smaller than white rhinos and usually more solitary. White rhinos are more likely to graze in groups out in the open.
How does Disney take care of its rhinos?
With a lot of mud and a lot of sweet potatoes.
Animal Kingdom’s rhino habitats have hills, tall grasses, trees, rocks and shrubs, plus mud wallows that help the rhinos cool off and keep bugs away, per WDWInfo.
Animal care teams use positive reinforcement training, rewarding the rhinos with treats like sweet potatoes and carrots. That lets keepers do health checks, vaccinations and even blood draws without stressing the animals, per WDWInfo.
Animal Kingdom has worked with endangered rhinos for decades, and Timu is part of that breeding and care effort, per WDWInfo.
What other new animals are at Animal Kingdom in 2026?
Timu is part of a busy year. Other 2026 arrivals include, per MickeyBlog:
Cinnamon, an Ankole cattle calf
Ivy, a giraffe calf
Bakari, a western lowland gorilla
A new African painted dog
There’s been one goodbye too. Bakso the tiger is leaving Animal Kingdom for a new home, and PNP reported in September that the move is good news for him.
Is there a rhino tour at Animal Kingdom?
Yes. Up Close with Rhinos is a smaller, paid tour that focuses on the park’s white rhinos, per WDWInfo. It’s a good pick for animal lovers who want more time and more facts than a safari ride allows.
When is the best time to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris?
Early morning or late afternoon. Animals tend to be more active when it’s cooler, and in Florida that matters a lot.
The ride lasts about 20 minutes, and every trip is a little different depending on who’s out and moving. Lines also tend to be shorter first thing in the morning, before the park fills up.
If Timu is out, you’ll know her by that pointed lip. Say hi.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
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:
MickeyBlog (Oct. 2, 2026), the Instagram announcement and the other 2026 arrivals
WDWInfo (Oct. 2026), the subspecies status, habitat and care details, and the rhino tours
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