Walt Disney World is home to creatures both big and small, on land, in the sea and flying above the trees. New additions to Walt Disney World theme parks have gained attention worldwide. And now, even pro athletes have come down to the sunshine state to say hello to the newest Disney additions.
Bakso the baby tiger cub at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
If you haven’t yet seen, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has an adorable and energetic new tiger cub named Bakso. Indonesian for “Meatball,” this curious ball of fur is located at the Maharajah Jungle Trek.
Bakso was born September 26, 2024 to mom Sohni (13 years old) and father Conrad (12 years old). Disney stated, “Bakso is the first tiger cub born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in seven years, marking an important milestone for both the park and the conservation of this critically endangered species…With less than 600 Sumatran tigers remaining in the wild and in managed care, Bakso’s birth is a critical contribution to efforts aimed at preserving and protecting this iconic species.”
Bakso will be out in this habitat, as long as weather permits and he wants to come out into the enclosure, every day from now on. Visitation to this area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is included with standard park admission. Check the My Disney Experience app for exact hours, as this trail can close earlier than the park does, usually when the sun sets.
Detroit Tigers meet the Disney Tigers
Detroit Tigers pitchers Tyler Holton and Will Vest, infielders Zach McKinstry and Colt Keith and outfielder Matt Vierling visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with their families. They were able to get an up-close look at Bakso and his mom, Sohni.
Detroit Tigers pitcher, Will Vest, stated, “I think it’s kind of cool to have the kids out to see this. For my son, anytime that he sees a tiger — he’s always like, Daddy’s team! So he’s starting to kind of connect the dots there. It was cool to be up-close and see the baby cub walking around.”
“I’ve been here before and I have seen the tigers, but not a cub. So that was really special,” said Detroit Tiger pitcher Tyler Holton. “Seeing the little guy — being a tiger, seeing a tiger, it definitely is an interesting perspective. Obviously, everyone has their nicknames, but to be here at Disney and see the real-life tiger is cool!”
Alongside seeing Bakso and family, the Detroit Tigers also faced The Yeti on Expedition Everest and went on a safari at Disney’s Kilimanjaro Safaris. The Detroit Tigers begin their 2025 season on March 27, playing against the Los Angeles Dodgers. But before stepping up to the plate, they joined alongside Disney’s goal: “emphasizing the park’s dedication to fostering connections between guests and wildlife.”
Manatee care is re-worked at EPCOT
But a tiger isn’t all the new news at Walt Disney World. Animal care at EPCOT is being re-worked to better help manatees and Florida’s goal. EPCOT has transitioned from long-term to short-term care at its The Seas facility.
“As strandings increase, critical care facilities are becoming overwhelmed, so by shifting our focus, we open up space at The Seas for more of those urgent cases,” said Dr. Jen, veterarian at Walt Disney World. “This helps relieve pressure on overcrowded facilities, supports the MRP’s efforts, and boosts our contribution to manatee conservation, which is what excites me most about shifting from long-term care to short-term rehabilitation.”
New manatees join the spotlight at Walt Disney World
Even since our initial manatee care article was published in February, Walt Disney World has brought out a new manatee for close-up care at EPCOT. A smaller manatee named Mermaid has joined alongside Cider and Mino. For the first time in a long time, guests can see each of these three manatees swimming and exploring their tank.
Author, Kat Colson, went to EPCOT to see Mermaid and learn more about her care. Colson states, “they [Disney Cast Members] believe that her tail injury came from a boat strike but they are not 100% sure…they are hoping to have her [Mermaid] completely rehabilitated to release back into the wild. She is around 525 pounds right now.”
Hopefully you will only be able to see these manatees for a short time and they will soon make their way back to the wild. But for now you can see Mermaid, Cider and Mino at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT.
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