Bakso the Sumatran Tiger Cub Draws Big Crowds at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Jan 30, 2025 in "Maharajah Jungle Trek"

Bakso the Sumatran Tiger Cub - 4 Months
Posted: Thursday January 30, 2025 10:13am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Bakso, the rare Sumatran tiger cub who yesterday made his debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is already a must-see attraction. Guests eager to catch a glimpse of him on the Maharajah Jungle Trek are seeing wait times of up to 20 minutes as crowds gather for a look at the young tiger in his new habitat.



Best Times to See Bakso

The Maharajah Jungle Trek is currently open from 9 am to 5 pm, but Cast Members are advising that Bakso’s schedule remains fluid. He’s still adjusting to his surroundings, often retreating inside before venturing back out with encouragement from his mother, Sohni. For the best chance to see him, plan to visit early in the day when he’s more active.


A Rare Sight

With fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers remaining in the wild and in managed care, Bakso’s presence is a rare opportunity for guests to see one of the world's most endangered big cats up close. His debut has quickly made the Maharajah Jungle Trek one of the most popular animal exhibits in the park, with guests patiently waiting for a glimpse of the young cub as he explores, plays, and learns from his mother.



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Pluto's personSep 28, 2025

AK actually is a welcomed verdant relaxed shaded respite from the MK and Hollywood. Epcot some very good restaurants and "The Food and Wine Festival" .

SirwalterraleighSep 26, 2025

…if people don’t like zoos. Don’t go to the zoo. Just that simple Plenty of other spots to do Elsa things and wait 50+ Minutes for 50 second rides

DCBakerSep 26, 2025

Disney has shared photos of Bakso on his first birthday: https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/bakso-the-tiger-birthday-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/

JohnDFeb 11, 2025

Wait. People actually want to do the animal walk throughs? 🐯🐅 If you listen to park commandos, there are not enough attractions in AK, making it the worst of the four parks. Don't shoot the messenger. I'm just repeating a common "complaint."

Agent HJan 30, 2025

Really that’s interesting I did not know that

Captain BarbossaJan 30, 2025

Not sure where the surprise by the amount of attention is coming from. When the twins were born in 2017, crowds were huge. Then again, that was the 1st tiger birth ever at AK, but still. This was just the 2nd and it took 7 years for it to happen. The amount of attention and large crowds is expected and very much warranted.

DCBakerJan 30, 2025

Disney has shared video of baby Bakso making his on-stage debut:

Agent HJan 30, 2025

I am very pleasantly surprised by the attention this has gotten I was thinking yesterday about how he will come out and no one will care meanwhile I’ve been reading about him in the parks blog for months I did not have time to watch the videos sadly

SirwalterraleighJan 30, 2025

No I hear that… Its shocking it took 200 years for enough people to say “oh crap…we’ve almost killed them all…let’s get some in zoos” Abusive animals…we are

Alice aJan 30, 2025

For me, at least, it depresses me that so many of these types of animals are endangered/threatened and can’t live freely in the wild in their natural habitats because of human action. That’s sad. Petting zoos, on the other hand, are fine 😉

SirwalterraleighJan 30, 2025

Cute little stinker… I will never understand those that can’t appreciate a zoo…not only from the research side…but animals have an innocence that should make all humans jealous This combined with the panda coverage in DC makes it a good week

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