Happy Birthday to Bakso, the Sumatran Tiger that was born on this day last year at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Bakso was born on September 26, 2024 to mom Sohni and dad Conrad at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Bakso and mom bonded for a few months as the little guy acclimated to his new world before making his big debut on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in late January 2025. Bakso was instantly popular, requiring Disney to modify the operations of the Maharajah Jungle Trek to accommodate crowds. Crowds have since moderated, and operations have returned back to normal.
We made it out to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this morning to take some photos of Bakso as he celebrated his first birthday!
Bakso the Tiger Turns 1 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Bakso had some birthday gifts courtesy of the animal care team to celebrate his birthday! While Bakso’s birthday debut was reserved for Disney’s preferred media before the park opened, there were still plenty of gifts and fun to be had once the trail opened to regular guests shortly before 9am. The animal care experts made him a variety of treats, including some of his favorites like ice treats and goat’s milk.
Photography conditions were difficult (to say the least), thanks to some fogged-up windows, but we were able to snap a few photos of Bakso enjoying his big day! We’ve also included some handout photos from Disney at the end of the article. Here’s a look at Bakso’s birthday fun when the trail opened to us and other regular guests!
This celebration isn’t just about one tiger – it’s about hope for the entire Sumatran tiger species. With fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers in the wild, every birthday is special and serves as a powerful reminder that by providing exceptional care for our animals as well as contributing to conservation efforts in the wild, we can make a difference and ensure a future where tigers continue to thrive. Â
Bakso represents the incredible collaborative efforts between Disney and the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan (SSP), working together to bolster populations of endangered and threatened species in managed care.Â
Outside of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF) is making a powerful difference for wildlife across the globe. As part of our Disney Planet Possible commitment, the DCF has provided more than $4.5M to 15 organizations working with communities to protect tigers and their forest habitats since 1995. 
