Little Red Returns: Kilimanjaro Safaris' Baby Elephant Animatronic Is Back at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Posted: Monday April 20, 2026 7:30am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The baby elephant animatronic known as Little Red has returned to a guest-facing location at Disney's Animal Kingdom - and if you're booked on the Caring for Giants tour, you can see him up close.

Little Red is currently on display in the second elephant yard backstage, viewable during the Caring for Giants experience.

It's been driving me crazy not posting about it because I didn't want to be the one to break the news given my position, BUT...

Little Red is back on Kilimanjaro Safaris (kind of)! The animatronic is currently viewable on Caring for Giants & at the back of the 2nd elephant yard! pic.twitter.com/tuGFxQeO0e
-- Nick (@awesomemixnick) April 19, 2026

Little Red was originally part of Kilimanjaro Safaris, where he served as a prop tied to the attraction's anti-poaching storyline. When Disney removed that storyline in 2012, Little Red was retired from the ride.

He later turned up in 2013 behind Pride Rock at Animal Kingdom, positioned outside a cast services building - out of sight for most guests. Now he's back where guests can actually see him again.

About the Caring for Giants Tour

Caring for Giants is a 60-minute guided experience at Animal Kingdom that takes you behind the scenes of the park's African elephant herd.

You'll get closer to the elephants than during a standard safari - viewing from about 80 to 100 feet away - while learning about the day-to-day care of the herd and Disney's elephant conservation efforts.

Tour times: 9am, 10am, 1pm, and 2pm

Price: $39 per person (tax not included)

Theme park admission is required but not included in the tour price.

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jme16 days ago

Oh hey, I remember posting this... Thanks for the update!

JohnD23 days ago

Not complaining. Came direct from @wdwmagic. Still a huge bump.

HMF23 days ago

That's like asking the sun not to set in the sky.

JoeCamel23 days ago

With current, relevant content, amazing!

Biff21523 days ago

Agreed, one of the best and a decent value (Disney please don’t jack up the price now)!

𝐌𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝐖𝖊𝖇23 days ago

Does Little Red move? It's not clear from the article/X-post. Stationary art piece? Kudos in any case. Always liked Little Red.

J. D.24 days ago

Little Red will return in Avengers: Doomsday.

Ayla24 days ago

We've done the Caring for Giants tour - it's a lot of fun.

JohnD24 days ago

13 year bump. Wow.

wdwmagic24 days ago

Little Red Returns: Kilimanjaro Safaris' Baby Elephant Animatronic Is Back at Disney's Animal Kingdom https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/kilimanjaro-safaris/news/20apr2026-little-red-returns-kilimanjaro-safaris-baby-elephant-animatronic-is-back-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm

gleddoMay 25, 2013

But what ever became of Wilson? WKRP in Cincinnati? He's on Twitter @WilsonMatua. Doesn't tweet much though.

flynnibusMay 23, 2013

The true story is... they couldn't face the elephant in the room regarding the Yeti... so they simply moved the elephant outside ;)

DJMoore2011May 23, 2013

first I think it's awesome that this is back stage for Cast Members to enjoy. I mean come on those poor Cast Members have to listen to bratty kids screaming when they don't get their ways and bratty obnoxious adults who expected to be bowed to because they spend money there. It's nice to see some small perks for the CM's. Yes I know it's Disney World but still rude people are every where and the Cast Members have to smile and deal with it. second and last, seeing pictures like this doesn't ruin the Disney Magic for me. In fact it makes it more special because I now it take hard work to make things magical. One day I hope to take backstage tours, if I ever go to WDW without my daughter who would not forgive me for taking her on said tour.

Tom MorrowMay 23, 2013

It's actually called the Mouseketeria and it does in fact have a subway also at DHS at Take Five (another CM cafeteria) they have one as well."Gasp - how could you ruin those elusive backstage secrets?? The magic is ruined! I hope you get fired!" - some posters.