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Sep 14, 2024 06:43 PM IST
Mu Daeng, a 2-month-old pygmy hippo from Khao Khio Open Zoo, has won the hearts of millions online. Check it out
If you haven’t seen the tiny baby pygmy hippo from Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo on your social media feeds yet, you’re looking at the wrong kind of content. This cute new internet sensation has taken social media by storm. Known as Moo Daeng, this 2-month-old pygmy hippo has garnered millions of views and an online following.
Her small size and expressive features make her seem almost like a character PokemonVideos showing Mu Deng’s playful antics, such as his joy at being sprayed with water and his adorable reactions to being picked up by zoo keepers, have gone viral. This newfound fame has substantially boosted the zoo’s social media presence. The baby hippo has also inspired fan art, memes, and branded merchandise, with Sephora embracing the trend and promoting a campaign that suggests customers “wear your blush like a baby hippo.”
Atthapon Nanadi, the zoo’s 31-year-old zookeeper, began sharing videos of all the animals under his care on social media during the pandemic. While tourists have played a role in boosting Moo Daeng’s online popularity, her lively personality has also contributed to her fame. “The moment I saw Moo-Daeng being born, I set a goal to make her famous, but I never imagined it would spread abroad. I thought she might be famous in Thailand but not internationally,” he said in the Guardian. Atthapon also noted that Moo Daeng’s playful nature matches her nickname ‘Bouncy’. Her siblings, named after various pork dishes, include her half-sister Moo Wan (Thai sweet pork), her other half-sister Fa Lor (pork belly stew), and her brother Moo Tun (stewed pork).
Unfortunately, despite his fame, Moo Deng has faced challenges from overzealous fans. Reports of visitors throwing food and harassing him for attention have raised concerns. The zoo has responded by installing CCTV cameras and urging visitors to behave respectfully. Pygmy hippos are a critically endangered species, and a 1993 study claims there are fewer than 3,000 left in the wild. They are native to West Africa, but are at risk of having their habitat destroyed due to human activities. “I hope Moo-Deng’s cuteness will raise awareness among people and they will come and learn about him [the species]”Environmentalists hope that the popularity of Moo Daeng will raise awareness and support for efforts to protect these rare, adorable animals,” Atthapon said.
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