Bakso, the Sumatran tiger who has grown up in front of guests on Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom, is leaving Walt Disney World for another Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo later in autumn 2026. Disney announced the move on 28th September 2026 to mark his second birthday. Until he goes, you can still find him on Maharajah Jungle Trek in the park's Asia area.
Article Summary
- Who: Bakso, a two-year-old Sumatran tiger on Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom
- When he leaves: Later in autumn 2026, with no specific leaving date announced
- Where he's going: Another AZA-accredited zoo, which Disney hasn't named
- Why: A Species Survival Plan recommendation, with the hope that he fathers cubs of his own one day
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Read on for the full breakdown including how his move lines up with UK half term and where to find him in the park.
The move follows a recommendation from the AZA's Species Survival Plan, which gets accredited zoos working together to look after endangered animals and protect the future of each species in managed care. Disney puts the number of Sumatran tigers left in the wild at fewer than 600, and the hope is that Bakso will one day father cubs of his own. Young tigers naturally become more independent as they mature and eventually move on to establish their own territories, so at two years old he's right on schedule.
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When Is Bakso The Tiger Leaving Disney's Animal Kingdom?
Disney's announcement on 28th September 2026 says Bakso will move later in autumn 2026, with no specific leaving date given. His destination is also kept under wraps. All Disney has said is that it's another zoo accredited by the AZA, the US-based body that accredits zoos and aquariums and runs the Species Survival Plan programmes.
Why Is Bakso The Sumatran Tiger Moving To Another Zoo?
Sumatran tigers are critically endangered, and the AZA's Species Survival Plan recommends which animals move between accredited zoos to support the future of the species in managed care. Bakso's move is one of those recommendations, and the aim is for him to become a father one day. Disney describes Bakso as part of its joint work with the Species Survival Plan to build up populations of endangered and threatened species.
Bakso The Tiger's Timeline At Disney's Animal Kingdom
Bakso went from a small cub to a full-sized young tiger in two years, and plenty of UK visitors will have watched him at different stages across more than one trip.
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September 2024 | Born to mum Sohni and dad Conrad |
| January 2025 | Public debut at Disney's Animal Kingdom |
| September 2025 | First birthday |
| September 2026 | Second birthday, with his move announced on 28th September 2026 |
| Autumn 2026 | Moves to another AZA-accredited zoo (date to be announced) |
Where Can You See Bakso At Animal Kingdom?
Bakso lives on Maharajah Jungle Trek, a self-guided walking trail in the Asia area of Disney's Animal Kingdom. Tigers don't do appearances on request, so how much of Bakso you see depends on whether he fancies being seen. Disney's second birthday photos show him playing with a barrel, and his keepers list ice treats and goat's milk among his favourite things.
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Who Looks After Bakso The Tiger At Disney's Animal Kingdom?
Dozens of Disney animal care staff have been involved in raising Bakso, from veterinarians to nutritionists. One of them is Sarah, an animal keeper who handles the daily care, feeding, enrichment and health monitoring of the tigers on Maharajah Jungle Trek.
"I've always wanted to work with tigers, and it's a dream to be able to work with a baby tiger like Bakso. I've learned so much watching him learn, grow, and reach amazing milestones."
- Sarah, animal keeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom, 28th September 2026
Michelle, a behavioural husbandry manager, works with the keepers on training Bakso to take part in his own health checks, building trust so he cooperates rather than needing to be handled. That work started with his mum Sohni before Bakso was even born. Michelle also helps design parts of his habitat and his enrichment activities, which are set up to encourage natural tiger behaviour.
How Does Disney Support Sumatran Tiger Conservation?
Away from the park, the Disney Conservation Fund has given more than $4.5 million to 15 organisations working with local communities to protect tigers and their forest habitats since 1995, as part of Disney's Planet Possible commitment. Spread across those 15 organisations, that works out at an average of more than $300,000 each over 31 years.
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Bakso The Tiger Leaving Animal Kingdom: Your Questions Answered
Is Bakso the tiger leaving Disney's Animal Kingdom?
Yes - Disney announced on 28th September 2026 that Bakso will move to another Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo later in autumn 2026.
When is Bakso leaving Animal Kingdom?
Later in autumn 2026. Disney has not announced a specific leaving date.
Which zoo is Bakso the tiger moving to?
Disney has not named the zoo. It has only said Bakso is moving to another AZA-accredited zoo.
Why is Bakso leaving Animal Kingdom?
His move follows a recommendation from the AZA's Species Survival Plan, a programme that helps accredited zoos work together to care for endangered animals. Disney says Bakso could one day father cubs, helping a species with fewer than 600 tigers left in the wild.
Where can I see Bakso at Walt Disney World?
On Maharajah Jungle Trek at Disney's Animal Kingdom. He will be there until his move later in autumn 2026.
How old is Bakso the tiger?
Two. Bakso was born in September 2024 to mum Sohni and dad Conrad, and he celebrated his second birthday in September 2026.
What does the name Bakso mean?
Bakso's name was inspired by the Indonesian word for meatball.
Will Bakso still be at Animal Kingdom during October half term?
There's no guarantee. Disney has not announced a leaving date, so it isn't possible to say whether Bakso will still be there during October half term, which runs from 26th to 30th October 2026 for most English councils.
