Cute little 'meatball.' Meet Bakso, the new tiger cub at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

5 February 2025 at 11:18 am·2-min read

A grrreat animal is capturing hearts at Walt Disney World.

Bakso, an adorable 5-month-old Sumatran tiger cub, can now be seen by Animal Kingdom park guests.

He was the first tiger cub to be born at the park in seven years, with twins Anala and Jeda born in 2017. They have since been relocated to the San Antonio Zoo in Texas as part of the Species Survival Plan.

Where is Animal Kingdom located?

Animal Kingdom is located in Central Florida's Lake Buena Vista, outside Orlando.

Is Animal Kingdom an accredited zoo?

Disney's Animal Kingdom, as well as The Seas at EPCOT, are accredited by the industry-leading Association of Zoos & Aquariums for ensuring excellence in animal management, care and treatment. The AZA is dedicated to the development of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education and science.

What kind of tigers are in Animal Kingdom?

Animal Kingdom houses multiple Sumatran tigers, one of the rarest animals in the world. They are native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, specifically its forests and swamps.

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, there are less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the world. Their endangered status is attributed to hunting and habitat loss.

Despite technically being a "big cat," they are on the smaller side compared to other tigers, the International Tiger Project shares. They also highlight the coat of the Sumatran tiger, saying its stripes are closer together and its fur is darker orange than other tigers to allow it to blend into its tropical rainforest habitat.

Disney notes the tigers' dwindling population online, saying the company is committed to saving wildlife and nature through its nonprofit "Disney Conservation Fund."

When was Bakso born?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Walt Disney World Magazine (@wdwmagazine)

Bakso was born on Sept. 26, 2024, to mom Sohni and dad Conrad, who also reside in Animal Kingdom. Disney World officials described the arrival as an "important milestone" for its theme park and the conservation of the Sumatran tiger species.

"Bakso symbolizes hope for the future of his species, representing powerful efforts in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Species Survival Plan, to help safeguard and rebuild populations of endangered species in managed care globally," Disney said in a statement.

What does his name mean?

A "bakso" is an Indonesian meatball.

Where are the tigers located in Animal Kingdom?

Bakso and his tiger family are found at the Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section of the theme park.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Disney World's Animal Kingdom has a new tiger cub, Bakso: What to know

Yahoo News UK
'Point of no return' collapse of Atlantic current could see UK temperatures plummet
Renowned climate scientist Professor James Hansen has warned that current warming targets are "dead" and the UK could be facing much colder temperatures.
CNN
2.2 billion gallons of water flowed out of California reservoirs because of Trump’s order to open dams
There are two major problems with Trump’s order, water experts said: The water will not flow to Los Angeles, and it is being wasted by being released during the wet winter season.
The Independent
Teenage girl killed in shark attack off Queensland beach
Girl died within 15 minutes of attack, succumbing to her injuries
Yahoo News UK
Met Office responds to reports of 'Beast from the East' hitting UK
The Met Office says the UK is in for colder conditions next week.
Manchester Evening News
Met Office issue UK yellow weather warning and warn of 'cold snap' coming
The UK has seen a mixed start to February, but things are about to change
KameraOne
Sea lion avalanche! Hundreds of sea lions plunge into sea in California
At the end of November last year, eyewitnesses in Monterey, California, filmed an impressive natural spectacle. A huge colony of sea lions poured into the water near the harbor. The animals resembled an avalanche rolling over rocks and down a hillside.
The Telegraph
‘Heat pump doomsters are wrong – I have no regrets’
Practising what you preach is easier said than done, but James Higgins is trying his best. He has worked in the energy and climate change sector for more than 16 years, got an MBA in Clean Energy, and now works with both industry and government to create a net zero economy.
Yahoo News
Ice storm takes aim at Midwest and Northeast. Here's the latest forecast.
A winter storm is expected to bring sleet and freezing rain to the Midwest and Northeast, potentially causing treacherous travel conditions and power outages for millions.
The Guardian
Temperatures at north pole 20C above average and beyond ice melting point
Scientists say unusually mild temperatures linked to low-pressure system over Iceland directing strong flow of warm air towards north pole
Associated Press
Scientists solve the mystery of sea turtles' 'lost years'
Using satellite trackers, scientists have discovered the whereabouts of young sea turtles during a key part of their lives. “We’ve had massive data gaps about the early baby to toddler life stages of sea turtles,” said Kate Mansfield, a marine scientist at the University of Central Florida. For over a decade, Mansfield and colleagues attached GPS tags to the fast-growing shells of young wild turtles.
Associated Press
Cape vultures are swooping into a new exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo
A “committee” of Cape vultures is swooping into the Los Angeles Zoo to make its home in an exhibit that seeks to mirror the birds' natural South African habitat. Starting Thursday, zoo visitors will have the chance to catch a glimpse of the animals known as nature’s “clean-up crew” as the seven birds roost, nest and interact socially. The exhibit in the Animals of Africa section of the zoo will include nesting nooks in the rock wall and plenty of room for sunbathing, according to the zoo.
The Guardian
Specieswatch: Invasive red swamp crayfish is threat to England’s ponds and rivers
North American native burrows into riverbanks causing leaks in canals and dams and carries crayfish plague
PA Media: Money
SSE produces 26% more clean power as it builds capacity
The energy giant said its output growth in renewable power generation had happened despite sometimes adverse weather late last year.
Wales Online
Lauren Laverne says Robson Green sounds 'high maintenance'
Lauren Laverne says Robson Green sounds 'high maintenance'
Storyful
Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Shoots Lava Over 250 Feet Into the Air
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano continued to erupt in the early hours of Tuesday, February 4, shooting lava over 250-feet high, according to the United States Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.The observatory said the volcano entered “episode 8” of the ongoing eruption at Kilauea’s Halemaumau crater on Monday. The episode was preceded by “small, sporadic spatter fountains” that began on Sunday, which increased in intensity until sustained “fountaining” began.“Fountains from the north vent have grown from 50 feet (15 meters) to over 250 feet (76 meters) high in an hour and are feeding multiple lava streams,” the observatory said on their website. “Active lava flows now cover approximately 15 to 20 percent of the crater floor.”Footage captured by EpicLava from a nearby location shows lava fountains spewing from the volcano’s north vent. Credit: EpicLava via Storyful
Storyful
Relatable Bear Briefly Endures Chilly Weather, Only to Return to His Cozy Bed
After a bit of coaxing, a Syrian brown bear briefly braved chilly weather at an animal sanctuary in Otisville, New York, in late January, only to quickly return to his cozy bed.Footage from the Orphaned Wildlife Center shows Randy, a 25-year-old, 790-pound sanctuary resident playing in his enclosure before snuggling up on some straw.In the caption of the original YouTube video, the sanctuary wrote that temperatures in the area had been pretty cold, and none of the animal residents were particularly eager to go outside. But after a bit of encouragement, Randy took some time to play in his snowy enclosure.Founded by Jim Kowalczik, Susan Kowalczik, and Kerry Clair in 2015, the Orphaned Wildlife Center nurtures its animal residents, in the hope they can be returned to the wild.The center often shares videos and updates about the animals in its care to its YouTube channel and Facebook pages. Credit: Orphaned Wildlife Center via Storyful
Bucks Free Press
Community clean-up project takes over two years to complete
A challenging community clean-up project has been successfully completed after more than two years
Sky News
Donald Trump Jr accused of killing protected species of duck on hunt in Venice lagoon
An Italian politician has filed a criminal complaint after Donald Trump Junior allegedly killed a protected species of duck while on a hunting trip in the Venice lagoon. "The US president's son killed a protected species in a protected natural area, and this is a serious criminal offence," Mr Zanoni said.
The National
Flood alerts issued for parts of Scotland following yellow warning for rain
FIVE flood warnings have been issued across Scotland due to heavy rainfall ...
PA Media: UK News
Heathrow expansion will only go ahead if it meets climate targets – Miliband
The Energy Secretary said the extension of any airport would have to meet existing carbon budgets and environmental restrictions.

This denim dress is M&S's number one bestseller right now

Cute little 'meatball.' Meet Bakso, the new tiger cub at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Where is Animal Kingdom located?

Is Animal Kingdom an accredited zoo?

What kind of tigers are in Animal Kingdom?

When was Bakso born?

What does his name mean?

Where are the tigers located in Animal Kingdom?

Latest stories

'Point of no return' collapse of Atlantic current could see UK temperatures plummet

2.2 billion gallons of water flowed out of California reservoirs because of Trump’s order to open dams

Teenage girl killed in shark attack off Queensland beach

Met Office responds to reports of 'Beast from the East' hitting UK

Met Office issue UK yellow weather warning and warn of 'cold snap' coming

Sea lion avalanche! Hundreds of sea lions plunge into sea in California

‘Heat pump doomsters are wrong – I have no regrets’

Ice storm takes aim at Midwest and Northeast. Here's the latest forecast.

Temperatures at north pole 20C above average and beyond ice melting point

Scientists solve the mystery of sea turtles' 'lost years'

Cape vultures are swooping into a new exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo

Specieswatch: Invasive red swamp crayfish is threat to England’s ponds and rivers

SSE produces 26% more clean power as it builds capacity

Lauren Laverne says Robson Green sounds 'high maintenance'

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Shoots Lava Over 250 Feet Into the Air

Relatable Bear Briefly Endures Chilly Weather, Only to Return to His Cozy Bed

Community clean-up project takes over two years to complete

Donald Trump Jr accused of killing protected species of duck on hunt in Venice lagoon

Flood alerts issued for parts of Scotland following yellow warning for rain

Heathrow expansion will only go ahead if it meets climate targets – Miliband