The People’s Pygmy Princess! How Moo Deng Captured the World’s Hearts

The People’s Pygmy Princess! How Moo Deng Captured the World’s Hearts

"Meet Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo who’s taken the world by storm!"

The Birth of a Star
On July 10, 2024, a female pygmy hippo named Moo Deng was born at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. The zoo held a public poll to name her, and "Moo Deng" (meaning "bouncy pork") won with 20,000 votes.

Pygmy Hippo Facts
Pygmy hippos are rare, shy, and native to West Africa. They belong to the genus Choeropsis, which means "looks like a pig" in ancient Greek. At birth, they weigh between 4.5kg and 6.2kg but can grow up to 270kg.

Moo Deng’s Unique Charm
Moo Deng’s photos, showing her as a slippery, chaotic, and bouncy beast, have captivated the world. Her soapy sheen comes from secreting hipposudoric acid, which acts as sunscreen.

Global Pygmy Hippo Family
Other pygmy hippos like Latke in Kansas and Haggis in Edinburgh have also gained attention, but Moo Deng stands out due to her star quality and authentic personality.

Moo Deng’s Fame
Moo Deng has inspired memes, social media posts from brands, and even her own clothing line. Her fame is helping raise awareness about the endangered status of pygmy hippos.

"Stay tuned for more adventures of Moo Deng, the world’s favorite pygmy hippo!"

Hashtags
#MooDeng #PygmyHippo #ZooLife #AnimalLovers #Conservation #Wildlife

Link
(https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/dec/26/the-peoples-pygmy-princess-how-moo-deng-captured-the-worlds-hearts)