Moo Deng, the New Internet Star By Sophia Tao

If you have been on Instagram, Facebook, or other media platforms recently, you might have

seen videos and funny memes of a tiny, adorable baby hippopotamus. Who is this hippo you ask,

and why have they been featured so much?

The answer is Moo Deng. Moo Deng is a pygmy hippopotamus who lives in Khao Kheow Open

Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand. She was born on July 10, 2024 and quickly became

popular at around two months old (September of this year). Her name is Thai and directly

translates to “bouncy pig”, which is a very fitting name due to her chubby and rotund

appearance.

Pygmy hippopotamuses are nocturnal creatures native to West Africa and, as the name suggests,

they’re smaller than your average hippo. Habitat loss and illegal poaching for food has driven

them to become an endangered species, thus creating many conservation efforts and breeding

programs at zoos to help. Khao Kheow Open Zoo assists with preservation efforts and, as a

result, the news of a new baby pygmy hippo is a delightful surprise to many.

It's not just being endangered that makes Moo Deng such an internet icon. Social media is quick

to accept and obsess over plump and porky animals; it’s obvious just by looking at the thousands

of popular memes and videos featuring fat cats and dogs doing funny things. However,

something even better than a round animal is if they also have quirky behaviors or embody a

certain attitude that people love seeing; Moo Deng demonstrates this iconic combination. Not

only is she blubbery and has little pudgy baby feet, but she also has a sassy and feisty attitude,

along with a tendency to cause childish chaos. People from all over the world absolutely adore

Moo Deng’s daily antics and can’t get enough of her spicy attitude.

Moo Deng has connected people globally through their shared love of seeing the little hippo’s

daily antics. Viral videos feature Moo Deng fighting her caretaker during bath time, stomping

around with her mouth wide open as if she rules the place, and her adorable dance resembling

Michael Jackson’s “moonwalk.” Her significant impact on pop culture is also not to be

underestimated; new makeup trends started by Sephora feature a pink blush called “Moo Deng

blush” which is intended to make the wearer look young, many latte arts bring the little hippo to

life, and there are also clothing, bags, and embroidery featuring Moo Deng.

In addition, Moo Deng’s popularity has also helped Khao Kheow Zoo earn more funds. Since

her first viral appearances on the Internet in September, the number of visitors has doubled. It

has gotten to the point where a five-minute time limit had to be enforced. Khao Kheow Zoo has

also started selling themed products and merchandise featuring Moo Deng, along with

trademarking “Moo Deng the hippo” in order to raise more money. It is blatantly clear that the

appearance of Moo Deng has had numerous positive impacts on pop culture and is raising

awareness about her species!