A Precious Arrival: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Rare Tiger Cub
With fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers remaining in the wild, Bakso’s birth represents a critical milestone for the endangered species.
According to Dr. Scott Terrell, Disney’s director of Animal & Science Operations, Bakso has already “captured the hearts of the animal care team,” who are thrilled to be part of such a vital conservation effort. The new cub’s arrival offers a glimmer of hope for the species, which faces significant threats from habitat loss and poaching.
This is the first tiger cub born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in seven years, making the moment even more special. Dr. Natalie, a veterinarian involved in the cub's care, emphasized the importance of the birth. “It takes meticulous planning, monitoring, and coordination between our animal care team and the Species Survival Plan to achieve such a successful outcome,” she shared. Sohni was carefully watched throughout her three-month pregnancy to ensure both mother and baby were healthy.
At present, Sohni and Bakso are bonding behind the scenes, away from public view. However, Disney promises that the mother-son duo will make their public debut in the coming months along the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Guests will soon have the chance to witness Bakso’s growth firsthand as he learns to navigate the world under Sohni’s protective care.
The animal care team noted that Bakso will remain with Sohni until he is about 18 to 24 months old, as young tigers depend heavily on their mothers during their early years. This rare birth not only brings joy to the Animal Kingdom team but also serves as a critical reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect endangered species.
