Walt Disney World recently welcomed a newborn Sumatran tiger cub named Bakso.
Newborn Sumatran Tiger Cub at Animal Kingdom
The 3-week-old cub was born to mom Sohni. The two are currently spending their time bonding backstage but Bakso will appear on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in a few months. Tiger cubs need their mother’s care until 18 – 24 months old.
“Tigers are in steep decline in the wild, so it is very special to welcome a new baby here at Disney, the first in seven years,” said Dr. Natalie, one of the veterinarians who monitored Sohni throughout her pregnancy. “Tiger births are rare in managed care and take a lot of planning and coordinating by our animal care team and the Species Survival Plan.”
Dr. Natalie and other experts used advanced technology to monitor the health of Sohni’s three-month pregnancy. They performed frequent blood tests and weekly ultrasounds to ensure both mother and cub were healthy. Sohni’s keepers even trained her to voluntarily participate in her own care.
There are less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and managed care. They are considered an “umbrella species,” meaning conservation efforts to preserve them will extend to other species within their habitat.
Disney collaborates with experts like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Species Survival Plan to boost endangered and threatened species. The Disney Conservation Fund has provided support to 15 organizations working to protect tigers and their habitats since 995. In celebration of Disneynature’s “Tiger” this April, the fund awarded a grant to the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Watch the video below of Bakso and Sohni bonding shared by Dr. Mark Penning on Instagram.
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