Taoism has a long history of conservation; including botany, zoology and biology, in fact the ancient Taoists are the originators of these sciences. According to the late Professor Joseph Needham in Science and Civilization in China, “The Han time [206 BCE-220 CE] was one of the relatively important periods as regards the history of science in China… Much was done in… the beginnings of systemic botany and zoology… (Volume I, Sections 1-7, p. 111)”

Dr. Needham, further elaborates in the same volume of the “…numerous botanical and zoological monographs, of which Han Yen- Chih’s, ‘Chu Lu’ (Orange Record) of 1178 [CE]…it deals in detail with all aspects of citrus horticulture, and was the first book on the subject in any language—but besides this there were monographs on bamboos, lichis, aromatic plants, cucurbits, and flowering trees, as well as Crustacea, birds and fishes. (p. 135)”

Animals from around the world were brought to China so they could be studied and “cared for” at the Imperial Zoo. The imperial zoo was incorporated into the Forbidden City during the early 1400’s and visiting the zoo remained one of the favorite activities of the imperial families throughout the dynastic/imperial period. There are many paintings of exotic animals being presented for safe keeping at the imperial zoo, including animals from Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the Americas.

It is in this Taoist tradition, especially through the sciences of biology, botany and zoology that the world is waking up to its responsibility of conservation. The recent Earth Day celebrations at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom theme park featured two days full of activities.

The events coincided with the release of a Disney Nature film: Chimpanzee (a collaboration with The Jane Goodall Institute). Last year’s Earth Day event coincided with the release of African Cats.

Some of the activities included (Jackie Ogden, Ph.D., Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment, Disney Parks):

• “Asia (Maharajah Jungle Trek)—Families [could] play a supermarket game and learn how their purchases…make a big difference for wildlife and wild places.
• Africa (Pangani Forest Exploration Trail)—Children [could] observe and identify chimpanzee tracks and clues left behind along trails as they move through the forest.
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch, courtyard—Outside Conservation Station, guests [discovered] fun ways to spend time in nature with their families and find “Chimpanzee”-related merchandise, as well as face painters and caricature artists.
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch, inside Conservation Station—Families [could] visit the Chimpanzee Research Station and participate in a variety of activities based on real conservation work. Guests also [could] talk with cast members who work on conservation projects around the world and learn about the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund.”

Visitors were thrilled when Jane Goodall made a surprise visit and answered questions from the crowd/guests. VIP guests were able to take part in a Safari weekend which included: “a campfire with the doctor complete with s’mores and stories and a breakfast with Dr. Goodall and Disney characters in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Backstage Prop Shop. In addition, a special Backstage Safari Tour [gave] guests the opportunity to see Animal Kingdom in a different, behind the scenes light. (Melinda Gregory, Walt Disney World for Grown Ups)”

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