LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2024) – At Walt Disney World Resort, a newborn, tiny tiger is making a great addition to a declining species. For the first time in seven years, a Sumatran tiger gave birth to a baby boy named Bakso at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. He arrived under the watchful eye of the animal care team members, who are captivated by his curious and playful personality.

With less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and in managed care, Bakso also serves as a beacon of hope for the future of this critically endangered species and to all of those who care for these tigers.

“Tigers are in steep decline in the wild, so it is very special to welcome a new baby here at Disney,” said Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko, one of the veterinarians and many animal care professionals who monitored Sohni throughout her nearly four-month pregnancy.

Dr. Natalie regards this birth as significant, well-planned and meticulously orchestrated. Using advanced technology, endocrinologists – also known as hormone experts – were able to monitor the health of Sohni’s pregnancy up until the birth, like that of 10-month-old Corra, an African elephant on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

From frequent blood tests to weekly ultrasounds, skilled veterinarians like Dr. Natalie ensure both Bakso and Sohni are happy and healthy. Best of all, Sohni’s keepers monitored her behavior and successfully trained her to voluntarily participate in her own care, a testament to the relationship our keepers develop with these incredible animals.

Like all Sumatran tiger cubs, Bakso will need his mother’s care until he is around 18-24 months old. This means guests will be able to see baby grow alongside mom when they’re both ready to join Maharajah Jungle Trek in early 2025.

Disney has a long history of collaborating with renowned experts like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to bolster endangered and threatened species populations in managed care. This birth is just one example of Disney’s work with the AZA that has helped strengthen the critically endangered Sumatran tiger population and the genetics of the species worldwide.

While the health and wellbeing of the animals in our care is incredibly important to us, caring for their wild counterparts is key. The Disney Conservation Fund has provided support to 15 organizations working with communities to protect tigers and their habitats since 1995. This past April in celebration of Disneynature’s Tiger the fund also awarded a grant to Wildlife Conservation Society in support of their initiatives safeguarding the world’s most endangered tigers.