Beastly Kingdom's Riddle of the Sphinx

Until I get around to finishing Part 4 of my series "Disney's Animal Kingdom: A True- Life Adventure", here's a nice rendering of the sphinx that was to grace the now defunct Beastly Kingdom. Just look at the detail! Absolutely beautiful.

The biggest riddle of the sphinx is the simple question of "Why?" Such as, "Why abandon the concept of an entire land devoted to imaginary animals?" or "Why let the design work ripped off by Universal's Islands of Adventure stop the Walt Disney Company from thrilling guests with an even more astounding creation?"

Yes, I know, the concept is dead they say. However, as stunning as the 4th park at Walt Disney World is, it would certainly be more complete if another land was created to celebrate animals imaginary to complement those real and extinct. The Imagineers are the best in the business. It's time to let them spread their wings and fly.
(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)