September 13th 2024.
Let's take a look at the latest sensation that has taken the internet by storm. Meet Moo-Deng, the two-month-old pygmy hippo from Thailand. With her playful antics and sleepy demeanor, she has captured the hearts of millions online. In fact, Time Magazine has already dubbed her an 'icon' and a 'legend'. And with a staggering 2.5 million followers on her TikTok account, there's no doubt that she's a star in her own right.
Moo-Deng resides in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, and her name translates to 'bouncy pork'. Her zookeeper, 31-year-old Atthapon Nundee, recalls the moment she was born and how he immediately set a goal to make her famous. However, he never expected her fame to reach international levels. "I thought she could be famous in Thailand, but not internationally," he admits with a smile. "She is called 'bouncy' and she is quite 'bouncy' too."
Moo-Deng is not the only one with a unique name. Her siblings, Moo Wan, Pha Lor, and Moo Tun, are also named after different types of pork in Thailand. And it's not just her name that makes her stand out. Adorable photos of her nibbling on someone's leg and sleeping peacefully have gone viral, receiving thousands of likes and shares. One photo even caught the attention of an artist who made a special rendering of Jesus Christ holding her.
But with fame comes its own set of challenges. Some visitors at the zoo went to extreme lengths to get photos with the sleepy pygmy hippo, throwing water and seashells at her while she was napping. This behavior forced the zoo to assign a security guard to protect Moo-Deng. Sadly, this is not uncommon for her species, as they are listed as endangered with only 2,000 to 25,000 remaining in the wild in West Africa.
Attaphon hopes that Moo-Deng's cuteness and popularity will raise awareness and encourage people to learn more about her species. And it seems like social media has definitely taken notice of her. Her photos have gone viral on various platforms, with many people admiring her round, plump shape and her always-moist appearance. She has become a lifestyle icon, with one fan even creating a list of her unique characteristics, including being slightly blurry in most photos and probably either screaming or sleeping.
One post of her debuting her new teeth garnered over 180,000 likes, while another post of her sleeping peacefully had people gushing over her cuteness. It's safe to say that Moo-Deng has a dedicated fan base online, and we can't help but join in on the admiration. So, let's all follow her journey and continue to spread awareness about her endangered species.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
