Oh, baby! A little hippo in Thailand has taken the internet by storm, becoming a viral sensation and even inspiring Sephora to post about blushes that will make people "blush like a baby hippo."
Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in eastern Thailand about two hours from Bangkok, has the internet and the world in a chokehold with her chubby, pink cheeks, tummy rolls and adorable expressions.
Moo Deng was born on June 10, to mother Jona, 25 and father Tony, 24, with two other siblings Pork Stew and Sweet Pork at the zoo in Chonburi, NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, reported. She is the seventh child born to the hippo couple and is also the sibling of Moo Toon, another famous hippo, Pattaya Mail reported. Moo Deng is also the granddaughter of Thailand's oldest hippo, Malee, who recently celebrated her 59th birthday. The median life expectancy of pygmy hippos is 27 years, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Pygmy hippopotamuses are a small breed of hippopotamus that are native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. They are known to be solitary and nocturnal but can sometimes be found in small family groups. Adults grow up to two and half to three feet high and around five feet in length, weighing between 350-600 pounds. Pygmy hippos are now classified as endangered, the alliance said, with possibly less than 3,000 individuals remaining in their native habitat.
Director of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo Narungwit Chodchoy told Reuters The zoo normally gets around 800 visitors on any given day during the rainy season, "which is a low season." After Moo Deng catapulted to fame, the zoo is now getting 3,000 to 4,000 people on weekdays, and welcomed almost 20,000 visitors over the weekend, Chodchoy said, adding that most of them came just to see Moo Deng.
"Moo Deng fever means we will have organize better so all visitors can see her," Narungwit told the media outlet.
Narungwit has also issued strict orders against those who bother Moo Deng after videos of visitors throwing water and shells on the baby pygmy were shared to social media, according to Pattaya Mail. Staff presence has also been increased during peak hours and surveillance cameras have also been installed.
Moo Deng has inspired several advertisements including by Sephora Thailand and the NBA's Utah Jazz, with internet users referring to her as a 'lifestyle icon.'
Moo Deng's Rise to Fame
Moo Deng is a two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus who has become an online sensation. The baby hippo is known for her adorable antics, which include trying to nibble her handler's knees despite not having teeth. The zoo has been sharing videos of Moo Deng on social media, which have gone viral.
Moo Deng's Impact on Khao Kheow Open Zoo
The zoo has seen a surge in visitors since Moo Deng's rise to fame. The zoo normally gets around 800 visitors a day, but since Moo Deng became a sensation, they have been seeing 3,000 to 4,000 visitors on weekdays, and almost 20,000 on weekends. The zoo director has said that they will have to organize things better to ensure all visitors can see Moo Deng.
Moo Deng's Safety Concerns
While Moo Deng's popularity is a welcome boost for the zoo, it has also raised concerns about her safety. Some visitors have been throwing water and objects at her, which has prompted the zoo director to issue strict orders against such behavior. The zoo has increased staff presence and installed surveillance cameras to ensure Moo Deng's safety.
Moo Deng's Legacy
Moo Deng has become more than just a cute animal. She is a lifestyle icon, inspiring everything from makeup tips to memes. Her story highlights the power of social media to connect people and animals, and the importance of responsible online behavior.
Contributing: Reuters, Maria Francis, USA TODAY NETWORK
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
