Want to learn the latest updates about baby animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? We’re sharing all the latest baby animal updates from Walt Disney World!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an incredible place for a number of reasons. Not only is it home to a variety of thrilling rides and immersive lands, but it’s also home to hundreds of different animals. Disney’s Animal Kingdom has earned accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the gold standard in animal care.

And Disney has partnered with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for the Species Survival Plan, which ensures responsible breeding and genetic diversity of hundreds of animal species. Through that program, over 300 animal babies were born in 2023. And we’ll be keeping you up to date on the latest arrivals and news right here!

Masai Giraffe Calf Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

In April 2026, a female Masai giraffe calf was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (weighing 120 pounds and standing six feet tall!). She was born to mom, Willow, and is under the care of the animal care team of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

“She’s already had her first checkup and is doing great, so mom is happily in charge,” said Bri, an animal keeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “Right now, she’s rarely far from her side, following her around the barn, exploring her surroundings, and learning something new every day.”

Currently, she’s spending time backstage with mom Willow, but will join the herd of Kilimanjaro Safaris in teh future (where she’ll join her half-brother Tucker, who was born in 2025). Masai giraffes are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with an estimated 30,000 remaining worldwide. Disney has worked with experts through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan to help care for giraffes and support a healthy population.

More New Animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Several other baby animals have arrived in teh spring of 2026 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Among them is a male nyala calf named Parker. Nyala calves are born with white stripes and spots, but as he grows he’ll develop a darker coat and spiral horns that make male nyalas distinctive.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

“We’ve been welcoming new baby animals to the lodge since its opening more than 25 years ago, so our team knows exactly how to prepare them for life on the savanna — from gradual introductions to space and sounds to watching how they respond to mom and their new environments,” said Mel, an animal keeper at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. “Even with all that experience, no two arrivals are ever the same.”

Mabel, the first Ankole calf born at Walt Disney World in more than 20 years, was also welcomed to the family. She’s currently under the care of Disney’s expert animal care team.

Red River Hog Triplets at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently welcomed three adorable red river hogs to the Disney family! As of April 2026, the trio currently resides at Animal Kingdom Lodge, under the care of Disney World’s team. As they prepare for their public debut, the piglets are currently spending their time bonding with their mother backstage.

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Tiger Cub Bakso Turns One

One of Animal Kingdom’s most popular stars is Bakso, the Sumatran tiger cub born in 2024. For the last year, Bakso has learned what it means to be a tiger from his mom, Sohni. As part of a critically endangered species, Bakso is an advocate for conservation and species protection.

And he’s also just so stinkin’ cute.

In September, Bakso turned one. His animal care takers helped him celebrate with a special cake made of all his favorites, with layers of frozen meat, ice, and goat milk.

“He’s not only been a joy for us, but he’s been a joy for the public, helping educate people on the importance of tiger conservation,” Sarah, an Animal Keeper with Disney, told WDW Magazine during his birthday celebration.

You can wave hello to Bakso in the Asia section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on the Maharajah Jungle Trek.

Baby Tucker the Giraffe Joins the Animal Kingdom Family

There’s a new member of the Disney’s Animal Kingdom family! Mara, one of Animal Kingdom’s Masai giraffes, recently gave birth to a baby boy named Tucker back in February. The long-awaited arrival marks the first calf birth at Disney World since 2021!

Mara first joined the savanna in 2015, and has expanded her family by three with the arrival of Tucker. In 2019, her first calf, Jabari, was born. The birth of Tucker is a significant achievement, as the Masai giraffe is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with around 30,000 giraffes remaining globally. Through their partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Species Survival Plan, Disney has worked hard to protect the species. 

Photo Courtesy of Disney

“Tucker’s birth is really important for us. It’s a testament to Disney’s leadership in animal care and conservation and our incredible partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan. This plan focuses on maintaining genetic diversity of the giraffe population and helping to prevent giraffes from becoming extinct,” said Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment.

Currently, Disney’s team of world-class animal care professionals and expert on-site veterinarians is working to ensure both Mara and Tucker receive the best care. You may be able to spot Tucker on Kilimanjaro Safaris now, as he has made his official savanna debut.

Baby Bakso Makes His Debut at Maharajah Jungle Trek

Photo courtesy of Disney

There’s an exciting new addition at Animal Kingdom’s Maharajah Jungle Trek! Bakso, the Sumatran tiger cub who was born at Animal Kingdom back in September 2024, has officially made his debut onstage at the theme park.

On January 29, 2025, Bakso stepped out into the Maharajah Jungle Trek with his mom, Sohni, for the very first time. He explored his new world under the supervision of his animal keepers, and guests got their first glimpse of the cub in person. Going forward, guests can now visit the trek to see Bakso grow alongside his mom (though he may not be in his habitat during all operating hours!).

With less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and managed care, Bakso’s birth and growth are a beacon of hope for the entire species. It’s also a wonderful representation of the work done in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Baby Elephant Corra Turns One

Disney’s youngest African elephant, Corra, turns one on December 13, 2024. To celebrate her birthday, Disney’s Animal Kingdom brought in an early surprise, with treats like sweet potato, bamboo, and peanut butter. Her mom, Nadirah, joined in on the celebration.

Photo by Landon McReynolds/Walt Disney World

Over the past year, Corra could be seen on Kilimanjaro Safaris, joining her family herd of mother Nadirah, aunts Stella and Luna, and her grandmother Donna. She has gone through several developmental milestones, including her first solid foods (her favorites are sweet potatoes!).

New Sumatran Tiger Joins Animal Kingdom Family

The newest member of the Sumatran tiger family at Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Bakso, son of mom Sohni, was born earlier this fall at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Photo courtesy of Disney

With less than 600 Sumatran tigers left in the wild and managed care, Bakso’s arrival is groundbreaking news. A beacon of hope for this critically endangered species, baby boy Bakso is the first baby tiger at Disney in seven years. A tiger birth in managed care like this is incredibly rare, marking a milestone for both Disney’s animal care team and the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Sumatran tigers.

Sumatran tigers are considered an “umbrella species,” which means conservation efforts to preserve the tigers themselves will extend to other species within their habitat, covering other key organisms and living things across their ecosystem. Disney has long collaborated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and SSP to help bolster endangered and threatened species.

Excited to see new cub Bakso? He’ll need his mother’s care until he is 18 to 24 months old – but the good news is he and his mom will both make their way to Maharajah Jungle Trek in just a few months. But you can watch the two during Tiger Tuesdays each week as they get ready for the big move!

Four New Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra Foals Join Animal Kingdom

It’s been a big summer for the animals of Disney’s Animal Kingdom! At Disney World, there are three different styles of zebras: Hartmann’s mountain zebra, Grevy’s zebra, and the plains zebra. And in the last few weeks, the number of Hartmann’s mountain zebras has expanded by four.

On July 16, second-time mom Aziza delivered a baby boy at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You may remember Aziza as mom to Dot, who was born last year. On July 8, first-time mom Asha welcomed a baby boy as well. Second-time mom, Juno, gave birth to a baby girl early this summer, joining big sister Cricket, who was born at the park in 2023.

Heidi and Penne. Photo Courtesy of Disney

And the oldest of the four new zebras was born June 13 at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Penne was born to mother Heidi, and weighed nearly 100 pounds at birth! He is brother to Asha, so it’s been an exciting few weeks for the zebra family! This also means there’s now three generations of Hartmann’s mountain zebras out on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Hartsmann’s mountain zebras are currently listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting. These births are all a success thanks to the Species Survival Plan, overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which helps ensure responsible breeding and genetic diversity of hundreds of animal species.

Rare Baby Addax Joins Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Family

As of May 2024, two-month-old Julien is the newest member of the addax herd at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The species currently faces possible extinction with less than 100 left in the wild, and just over 180 in care by accredited Associations of Zoos and Aquariums organizations. Julien was welcomed by mom Juniper, and is the first male calf born at the resort. His name comes from a combination of both parents, Juniper and Allen. Walt Disney World is just one of 21 AZA-accredited institutions with addax in their care.

Addax are a species of antelope known for their curly horns, which calves are actually born with. The critically endangered species is actually so rare that one of the few places they can be spotted outside of the Saharan desert is Africa is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Animal keeper Lindsay Cooper and veterinarian Dr. Deidre Fontenot have both been essential to the birth of Julien, and the care of Juniper.

Thank you to Disney for hosting us for a peek behind the scenes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Tucker’s first day on Kilimanjaro Safaris.