Bakso the tiger, who guests watched grow from a cub to an adult at Disney’s Animal Kingdom over the past two years, will be leaving the park this fall.

Goodbye Bakso

Bakso will move to another Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoo later this fall.

Disney Parks Blog said, “And this next chapter serves an important purpose. With fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers remaining in the wild, Bakso could one day father his own cubs and help contribute to the future of this critically endangered species.”

Bakso was the first Sumatran tiger cub born at Walt Disney World in seven years. He was born to mom, Sohni, and dad, Conrad, in September 2024. He made his first public appearance in January 2025. His debut was so popular, Disney opened a separate queue just for viewing the cub.

This month marks his second birthday. Guests can still see him at Maharajah Jungle Trek for a limited time.

His move is part of a recommendation from the AZA’s Species Survival Plan, a program that helps accredited zoos work together to care for endangered animals and support the future of their species in managed care.

Bakso’s name was inspired by the Indonesian word for “meatball.” Like all big cats, Sumatran tigers are carnivores. Their meals are prepared at Disney’s Animal Nutrition Center. Every tiger has their own pattern of stripes – no two tigers look exactly like.

Growing up is a big milestone for any animal, and tigers are no exception. As young tigers mature, they naturally become more independent and eventually move on to establish territories of their own. In many ways, Bakso’s upcoming move is a natural next step as he enters adulthood.

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