ORLANDO, Fla. — Get ready for a cuteness overload — Disney's Animal Kingdom has welcomed a tiny tiger cub to the world and is sharing a "fur-st" look at the rare "bundle of stripes."
Bakso, a Sumatran tiger cub, is nearly three weeks old and was born to mom Sohni. According to Dr. Scott Terrell, Disney's director of Animal & Science Operations, baby boy Bakso has already captured "the hearts of the animal care team which is over the moon about this latest bundle of stripes."
The tiger cub is reportedly a "great contribution" to the declining population of the critically endangered species. There are fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Bakso is the first tiger cub born at Disney in about seven years, the animal's caretakers said.
“Tigers are in steep decline in the wild, so it is very special to welcome a new baby here at Disney, the first in seven years," Dr. Natalie, one of the veterinarians who monitored Sohni through her three-month pregnancy said. "Tiger births are rare in managed care and take a lot of planning and coordinating by our animal care team and the Species Survival Plan."
Currently, baby Bakso and Sohni are spending time bonding backstage and visitors won't be able to see them in-person yet. However, Disney says in a few months both mom and baby will join the Maharajah Jungle Trek so guests will get to see "baby grow alongside mom." Bakso will reportedly need momma's care until he's about 18-24 months old.
You can follow along with Bakso's life journey by tapping or clicking here.