Located in a densely forested area of the Harambe Wildlife Reserve is the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail ("pangani" is a Swahili word that means "place of spirits" or "enchanted"). Pangani Forest is a wildlife sanctuary and research facility, but also contains a conservation school that is open to the public.
The Imagineers were inspired to create the Pangani Forest Conservation School and Wildlife Sanctuary by their visit to a real facility in Kenya, the William Holden Wildlife Education Center. Founded by actor William Holden (Sunset Boulevard, Sabrina, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Network) in the 1960s, the Center serves to educate local people about the value of wildlife and how best to conserve it.
The motto of Pangani Forest Conservation School is that of its Director, Dr. K. Kulunda: "We do not inherit the earth from our parents - we only borrow is from our children."
Dr. Kulunda, of course, is a fictional character created for the attraction. Interestingly, his first name is never identified. My personal theory is that his name is Kevin. Kevin Brown was the lead Imagineering Concept Writer on the Disney's Animal Kingdom project and did nearly all of the writing for Africa. I had the opportunity to work closely with Kevin when we opened Animal Kingdom, during which time he shared with me many of the back stories and inside references found throughout the park. When I asked where his own tribute could be found, he always got very humble and changed the subject. I've always suspected that Dr. K. Kulunda and my friend Kevin Brown are one in the same.
Another note about the graphic above: When the park opened, Pangani Forest was entitled Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail. The name was changed after it was observed that Guests to the attraction were blowing past all the other exhibits just to get to the gorillas. The change was made on almost every sign. In the one pictured above, though, it was changed in the English version, but not the Swahili. "Nyani Falls" refers to the original name of the attraction.
Throughout the Pangani Forest, researchers have built a series of observation blinds, outposts and overlooks for the study of the native wildlife. This is still a wild habitat, however, so signs along the way help establish some of the ground rules, advising Guests to stay on the marked paths and keep an eye out for animals. Tracks on the ground and sounds coming from the forest further the impression that wild creatures could be anywhere.
There may be some inherent dangers here, but there is also incredible opportunity to see and appreciate native animals in a completely natural habitat.
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