by Piano Kaewchaiyo (8th grade)

When we think of animals, we think of all kinds of species of animals because, well, it's crazy how many animals there are in the world! Animals from different biomes ranging from giraffes, rainbow trout, hammerhead sharks, hyenas, anteaters, lizards and so much more that I couldn’t list even with months to do so. Although there are so many animals, we always wonder: Which one of these animals is the most popular? Which of them are the most likable and adorable?

So, what’s the most viral animal on the planet right now you ask? Moo Deng. Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus, has taken the internet by storm throughout September and October 2024. Her fame has grown so much that people from all over the world have assembled at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Bang Phra Thailand within the course of only a few weeks. Moo Deng’s presence led to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo gaining the attention of thousands of visitors, including foreigners from other countries.

As of today, merchandise of Moo Deng plushes, PJs, mugs, and other products have skyrocketed in popularity while beauty tutorials are inspired by Moo Deng’s rosy cheeks. Furthermore, various companies like bakeries have benefitted from putting the face of Moo Daeg on their products! Even Thailand’s Sephora encourages consumers to “wear your blush like a baby hippo.” Despite this, the question is how did Moo Deng shock the internet and gain the views of millions of people?

Moo Deng’s Background

Before Moo Deng went viral, she was reported by NBC to be born on July 10, 2024 to her parents Jonah and Tony. She has two siblings and four half-siblings. Her name in Thai means “bouncy pork” or “bouncy pig.” This name was chosen through a poll given publicly, concluding that her name be Moo Deng since over 20,000 people voted for this name. Moo Deng suits her appearance well for the reason that she has a small, shiny body with huggable thick rolls and a sweet, big face.

Moo Deng is a pygmy hippopotamus, or a Choeropsis liberiensis, which is an elusive species native to the swamps and forests of West Africa. Because of this, her species is extremely rare, and they are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In Africa, pygmy hippos are thought to be extinct in Nigeria, yet small populations of pygmy hippos are still living in Guinea, Liberia, and Ivory Coast according to BBC News, Edge of Existence and Zoological Society of London. Their lifespan is around 30 to 50 years with an average size of 4.5 to 6.0 feet. Pygmy hippos are the smallest species of hippo globally, making Moo Deng smaller than an average baby hippo! Currently, Moo Deng is 2 months old and is still living in Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

How Moo Deng went Viral

Considering all of this, how did Moo Deng become famous anyway? During September 2024, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo posted images and videos on TikTok of Moo Deng. These images and videos went viral from the TikTok algorithm and gained millions of views. Not only is she on TikTok, but her pictures and videos are all over YouTube, X, and Facebook! Her adorable pictures have started a large fanbase of Moo Deng lovers who visit the zoo to see Moo Deng.

The number of visitors in Khao Kheow Open Zoo rapidly increased with an estimated percentage increase of 50%. 50% is a lot -- think of it as 100 apples increased by 50 from the percent increase! That’s just how viral and lovable Moo Deng truly is. However, that’s not all that Moo Deng has done for people globally; She has made us laugh with the memes, photoshopped images, and videos that were published from her fame. In contrast to this, it’s also dangerous for large crowds to go to Khao Kheow Open Zoo to view Moo Deng because her safety is breached. Therefore, Moo Deng’s safety should be considered as we admire her cute, chubby presence. 

Conclusion

Viral animals like Moo Deng are so intriguing to observe -- they are both beneficial to society and helpful for companies to profit off of. It’s not all that they do, though. Viral or not, animals should all be loved with the same care and attention we give Moo Deng. As for Moo Deng, she is already changing the world with her delicate and charismatic behavior. Ultimately, she inspires us to support pygmy hippos, spreading awareness about this endangered species. And, who doesn’t love a baby hippo anyway? #MooDengIsTheBest!