The Detroit Tigers stopped by Disney’s Animal Kingdom to meet Bakso, a critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub. Five players from the team visited while at training in Florida. This included Colt Keith, Matt Vierling, Tyler Holton, Will Vest, and Zach McKinstry, and their families. They took a little time away from playing some baseball to head to Walt Disney World and Maharaja Jungle Trek to see Bakso.
The players didn’t just see the tigers, however. They also braved Expedition Everest and went on a safari through Kilimanjaro Safaris on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve.
The team stopped for photos at the Tree of Life and then made their way to visit Bakso. They saw the little guy with his mom, Sohni. This was an experience that shows how the park fosters connections between guests and wildlife. For the Detroit Tigers pitcher, Will Vest, having his wife and two kids with him at Disney while they saw the new tiger cub was extra special.
“I think it’s kind of cool to have the kids out to see this. For my son, anytime that he sees a tiger — he’s always like, Daddy’s team! So he’s starting to kind of connect the dots there. It was cool to be up-close and see the baby cub walking around,” Will Vest explained.
Bakso is now nearly six months old. He can be seen with his mother pouncing and prowling as they roam throughout their lunch habitat. They were at this when the Detroit Tigers visited as well. As the team watched through the windows, Bakso could be seen running and playing in the habitat. Currently, there are less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild. Bakso’s impact is felt worldwide. He is an ambassador for a declining species.
“I’ve been here before and I have seen the tigers, but not a cub. So that was really special,” said Detroit Tiger pitcher Tyler Holton. “Seeing the little guy — being a Tiger, seeing a tiger, it definitely is an interesting perspective. Obviously, everyone has their nicknames, but to be here at Disney and see the real-life tiger is cool!”
Disney has long collaborated (and continues to) with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to support endangered species. This includes the Sumatran tiger. These expert partnerships boost conservation efforts, strengthen populations, and advance scientific knowledge.
These magical moments and the memories that were made by the Detroit Tigers are just a couple of the opportunities guests can enjoy when visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is a place where imagination and the natural world are weaved together to create a magical experience for all. It is also a place in transition with new possibilities for imagination and the natural world to be woven together.
More updates on Bakso and all the animals at Walt Disney World Resort can be found by following Dr. Mark on Instagram and Disney’s Animals, Science, and Environment Facebook page.
What do you think of this magical visit? Have you been able to see Bakso in person yet? If so, what do you think? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
