Today marks an important milestone – our precious Sumatran tiger cub Bakso is celebrating his first birthday at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! For a whole year, this tiger has pounced his way into our hearts and shined as a beacon of hope for Sumatran tiger conservation around the world.
From Playful Cub to Symbol of Hope
Born to mom Sohni and dad Conrad, Bakso arrived as a tiny bundle of orange-and-black fur with faint stripes and bright blue eyes. His playful and curious personality quickly emerged – an inquisitive cub with a heart full of wonder.
Today, he weighs over 140 pounds and has grown into a confident young tiger, proudly showing off his bold stripes and adventurous spirit on Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Did You Know?
- Bakso’s name was inspired by the Indonesian word for “meatball.”
- Like all big cats, Sumatran tigers are carnivores, and our tigers’ meals are prepared at Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center.
- Every tiger has their own pattern of stripes – no two tigers look exactly like!
Caring for Bakso
And while the spotlight is rightfully on the birthday boy enjoying some of his favorite things like ice treats and goat’s milk, this is an impressive achievement for the dozens of Disney animal care experts who have made this milestone possible.
Thanks to the expertise and dedication of our skilled veterinarians, nutritionists, animal keepers, and more, this tiger cub has grown healthy and strong. From preparing his meals to personalizing his habitat, Disney cast members have been there every step of the way.
One of these cast members is Sarah, an animal keeper who is responsible for the daily care, feeding, enrichment and health monitoring of tigers on Maharajah Jungle Trek.
“I’ve always wanted to work with tigers, and it’s a dream to be able to work with a baby tiger like Bakso,” said Sarah. “I’ve learned so much watching him learn, grow, and reach amazing milestones like his first birthday.”
And these milestones wouldn’t be possible without animal experts like Michelle, a Behavioral Husbandry Manager, who helps the animal keepers work with Bakso and his mother Sohni – a process that started before he was even born.
Michelle’s expertise helps our animal keepers as they teach Bakso to participate in his health checks while building trust and empowering the tiger to take part in his own care. She also helps design elements of his habitat and enrichment activities, tailoring them to stimulate his natural behaviors and challenge his growing mind. By observing Bakso’s reactions and preferences, Michelle learns more about his unique personality full of curiosity and playfulness.
“People don’t realize how different every tiger’s personality truly is,” said Michelle. “The best part of my role is getting a front row seat to all of the small moments that shape Bakso’s personality.”
Disney’s Commitment to Tiger Conservation
This celebration isn’t just about one tiger – it’s about hope for the entire Sumatran tiger species. With fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers in the wild, every birthday is special and serves as a powerful reminder that by providing exceptional care for our animals as well as contributing to conservation efforts in the wild, we can make a difference and ensure a future where tigers continue to thrive.
Bakso represents the incredible collaborative efforts between Disney and the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan (SSP), working together to bolster populations of endangered and threatened species in managed care.
Outside of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) is making a powerful difference for wildlife across the globe. As part of our Disney Planet Possible commitment, the DCF has provided more than $4.5M to 15 organizations working with communities to protect tigers and their forest habitats since 1995.
Happy Birthday, Bakso! We can’t wait to watch what adventures next year brings.
