Bakso, the Sumatran tiger cub born at Disney's Animal Kingdom in September 2024, is now 18 months old and independent after being separated from his mother, Sohni. Fans who've followed his journey can now see him lounging in the Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section. This transition is normal for male Sumatran tigers, who typically leave their family at this age. Disney ensures animals are healthy and ready before introducing them to guests; Bakso still shares his habitat with his mother, but without constant supervision.
Bakso's Journey Has Been Wild
On September 26, 2024, Sumatran tiger Sohni gave birth to Bakso in what was honestly a huge moment for those who worked at Animal Kingdom as well as Disney fans around the world because this was the first Sumatran tiger cub born at the park in seven years. Of course Bakso and his mother needed time to bond and he needed time to grow before he could be taken to the Maharajah Jungle Trek and seen by fans who were absolutely dying to see the adorable cub.
Finally on January 29, 2025, Disney surprised everyone when they finally allowed Bakso into the tiger area of the Jungle Trek and fans were absolutely thrilled as videos of the adorable cub quickly began making the rounds on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Guests immediately began heading to Animal Kingdom specifically to see Bakso, creating unprecedented demand for access to a walking trail that typically doesn't draw massive crowds.
The Wait Times Were Absolutely Insane
Due to Bakso's popularity, the Maharajah Jungle Trek has been overwhelmed by the number of guests. Visitors now line up well before the area opens, which is typically an hour after Animal Kingdom's official opening. Cast members can only admit a limited number to avoid overcrowding for the animals’ sake. The wait to see the baby tiger has exceeded an hour, highlighting how much people love baby animals and are willing to wait for a brief glimpse.
Why This Matters for Conservation
Sumatran tigers are critically endangered with less than 400 left in the wild, making Bakso's birth all the more special for conservation efforts and species survival. Before Bakso was born Animal Kingdom was only home to two Sumatran tigers including his parents Sohni and Conrad, with Conrad being separated from Sohni and the cub because male tigers are only interested in breeding and cannot be around the mother and her cub or else the male might try to hurt the young tiger.
According to his caretakers Bakso was expected to stay with his mom between one and a half and three years before being considered an adult old enough to breed with another tiger, with the 18-month milestone representing the younger end of that timeline. Once Bakso is old enough Disney will work with other zoos that are members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to find a tiger who is a good genetic match for him to breed with.
What Happens Next
Once Bakso moves to another facility, Disney will assess if Conrad and Sohni are interested in breeding to produce more cubs. There’s no guarantee that breeding will occur, which could affect the tigers' presence at Animal Kingdom. Bakso may also be sent to another zoo for breeding with a genetically compatible female to maintain genetic diversity. Thankfully, we can enjoy him at Animal Kingdom for at least another year.
Visitors can catch Bakso along the Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section, where they can also see various other species. Be prepared for crowds, as interest in him remains high even as he matures.
