I recently shared some exciting news about the birth of a prehensile-tailed porcupine at Conservation Station at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The porcupette was born to mom, Peri. Today, I’m thrilled to share the porcupette’s name – Shelley.

Because we’re Disney, you’d expect Shelley’s name comes with a great story, and it’s a very heartwarming one. The Animals, Science and Environment team named the baby in honor of Veterinary Operations Manager Shelley, who played an important role in the baby’s birth. Thanks to Shelley’s dedication to training, the baby’s mom, Peri, was able participate in ultrasounds essential for prenatal care. Some of these ultrasound sessions with Disney veterinarian Dr. Natalie are featured in One Day at Disney, a documentary currently streaming on Disney+.





Shelley has a special bond with Peri, and now baby Shelley, who is growing quickly and starting to look just like her mother. She weighs over two pounds (more than triple her birth weight.)

It’s through the work of dedicated cast members, like Shelley, that our animal care team is able to make tremendous strides every day providing excellent care for all creatures large and small. Learn more about the many animals at Walt Disney World Resort and the teams who care for them by visiting the Animals, Science and Environment page on Facebook, and by following me on Instagram at @DrMarkAtDisney.