Bakso, the Sumatran tiger born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2024, turns 2 this month and heads to another accredited zoo this fall. The move comes from a breeding recommendation for a species down to fewer than 600 animals in the wild.
Bakso is moving out.
The Sumatran tiger, born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in September 2024, just turned 2. Later this fall, he leaves Florida for another AZA-accredited zoo.
Fewer than 600 of his species remain in the wild
That’s the number driving everything.
Sumatran tigers number fewer than 600 in the wild. They live only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and they are critically endangered.
Bakso’s move comes from a recommendation under the Species Survival Plan, a program run by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums that coordinates breeding across accredited institutions.
The goal is direct. Disney says Bakso “could one day father his own cubs and help contribute to the future of this critically endangered species.”
It’s also what tigers do anyway
Young male tigers in the wild naturally leave the area where they were born. As they mature, they disperse to establish territory of their own.
Bakso is right on schedule. Disney frames the transfer as a natural next step into adulthood, and biologically that’s accurate.
Disney isn’t saying where he’s going
Disney identifies the destination only as another AZA-accredited zoo. No name, no location, no arrival date beyond “later this fall.”
That’s fairly standard for animal transfers, since receiving institutions usually make their own announcements. But it does mean anyone hoping to follow Bakso will have to wait.
Who is Bakso?
He arrived in September 2024, born to mother Sohni and father Conrad.
He made his public debut on Maharajah Jungle Trek in January 2025 and became a regular draw, mostly by being a cub doing cub things. Splashing in pools. Ambushing enrichment items. Growing into his stripes.
His name comes from the Indonesian word for meatball.
Every tiger has a unique stripe pattern, the way people have fingerprints. No two are alike.
The people who raised him
Sarah, an animal keeper on Maharajah Jungle Trek, handles daily feeding, enrichment and health monitoring.
“I’ve always wanted to work with tigers, and it’s a dream to be able to work with a baby tiger like Bakso,” she said. “I’ve learned so much watching him learn, grow, and reach amazing milestones.”
Michelle, a behavioral husbandry manager, started working with Bakso’s mother before he was born. Her job includes teaching Bakso to participate in his own health checks, which means a tiger voluntarily presenting for veterinary care rather than being sedated for it.
“People don’t realize how different every tiger’s personality truly is,” Michelle said. “The best part of my role is getting a front row seat to all of the small moments that shape Bakso’s personality.”
His meals come from Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center.
Disney has spent $4.5 million on tigers
The conservation work extends past the park.
The Disney Conservation Fund has provided more than $4.5 million to 15 organizations protecting tigers and their forest habitats since 1995.
That funding goes to groups working with communities in tiger range countries, where habitat loss and poaching drive the population decline.
You can still visit him
Bakso remains on Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom until he leaves.
Disney has not given a departure date beyond “later this fall,” so anyone who wants to see him has an indefinite but closing window.
Maharajah Jungle Trek is a walking trail, so there’s no wait time in the usual sense. Tigers are most active in the morning and late afternoon, when it’s cooler.
Happy birthday to the meatball.
Article compiled with the help of the Pirates & Princesses newsroom.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Disney Parks Blog (Sept. 28, 2026), Dr. Scott Terrell’s post on Bakso’s second birthday and upcoming transfer, the Species Survival Plan recommendation, the Sumatran tiger population figure, the Disney Conservation Fund giving total and the quotes from animal care staff
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