Have you ever seen the Detroit Tigers actually meet a tiger?
The team recently got an unforgettable opportunity to meet the newest member of the Walt Disney World family — Bakso, a critically endangered Sumatran tiger cub.
While training in Florida, five players, Colt Keith, Matt Vierling, Tyler Holton, Will Vest and Zach McKinstry, and their families, took some time off the diamond to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where they encountered the adorable cub and his mom, Sohni, in the park’s Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Starting off their adventures, the team boarded a train and braved Expedition Everest before boarding a safari vehicle where they spotted dozens of animals on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve on Kilimanjaro Safaris.
After a quick stop for photos at the park’s iconic Tree of Life, the team ventured over to see Bakso. The Detroit Tigers caught a glimpse of the cute baby tiger and his mom, Sohni, a moment that highlights the park’s role in fostering connections between guests and wildlife. For Detroit Tigers pitcher, Will Vest, having his wife and two kids at Disney, and seeing 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.
Baseball Meets Wildlife
Now at almost six months old, Bakso continues to grow. Both mother and cub are often seen pouncing and prowling as they roam their lush habitat, and during the Detroit Tigers visit, this was no exception. The team gathered around the windows of the habitat to see Bakso run and play. With less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, Bakso’s impact is felt worldwide, as he serves as an ambassador for his 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 collaborates with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) to support endangered species, like the Sumatran tiger, through expert partnerships that boost conservation efforts, strengthen populations and advance scientific knowledge.
These memories the players made with the tigers are just some of the incredible opportunities guests can enjoy when visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, a place where imagination and the natural world are weaved together to create a magical experience for all.
For the latest updates on Bakso and all the animals at Walt Disney World Resort, follow Dr. Mark on Instagram and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page.