For the first time ever, Disney is sharing a “fur-st” look at baby boy Bakso, the newest Sumatran tiger cub at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World! Bakso is nearly 3 weeks old and is already earning his stripes by showing his playfulness and curiosity, while mom Sohni spends much of her time showing him lots of love and affection.
Though this tiger may be tiny now, he represents a great contribution to a declining tiger population, with less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and 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, the first in seven years. Tiger births are rare in managed care and take a lot of planning and coordinating by our animal care team and the Species Survival Plan,” said Dr. Natalie, one of the veterinarians and many animal care professionals who monitored Sohni throughout her three-month pregnancy.
These big cats are considered an “umbrella species.” In technical terms, conservation efforts to preserve these tigers will extend to other species within their habitat providing cover to other key organisms and living things across the ecosystem. Essentially, by protecting tigers and their habitats, we protect the places where they belong, which is critical to many people around the world. This is why it’s essential that we continue our focused care.
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 great 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.
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 ensured that both Bakso and Sohni were 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 keepers develop with these incredible animals.
While the health and wellbeing of the animals is incredibly important to Disney, 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.
Like all Sumatran tiger cubs, Bakso will need his mother’s care until he is around 18-24 months old. So the good news is that guests will be able to see baby grow alongside mom when they’re both ready to join Maharajah Jungle Trek in a few months.
What do you think of this new Sumatran tiger cub? Are you a fan of tigers? Let us know in the comments.
