Have you recently seen a series of cute hippopotamus baby pictures shared by friends on social media? If so, you must have been charmed by the adorable sight. The little cutie in the pictures is a hippopotamus baby born at a zoo in Thailand not long ago. Its irresistibly cute appearance has attracted countless tourists eager to take photos, and its popularity has soared to the extent that numerous memes featuring the hippo baby, known as "Moo Deng," have emerged online, making it one of the most famous animal stars of 2024.
The Thai name for the hippopotamus baby is "หมูเด้ง", which is transliterated as "Moo Deng". While I don't understand Thai, I believe it translates roughly to "pork meatball," which is a traditional Thai delicacy. With its round eyes and chubby body, the hippo baby looks incredibly cute even when it runs with a hurried gait. This female hippopotamus was born in July at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, and her immense popularity has drawn not just local visitors but tourists from all over the world.
หมูเด้งกินผักเยอะกว่ากูอีก 55555555 #หมูเด้ง pic.twitter.com/nlqldvy4r9
— Tarot to youuuu (@TarotYouuuu) September 10, 2024
เจ้าต้าวหมูเด้ง #หมูเด้ง #หมูเด้งจะเด้งกี่โมง #สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว #ฮิปโปแคระ pic.twitter.com/L8NUHa8CdE
— Pang Ping (@PangPing26624) September 11, 2024
After videos of "Moo Deng" were uploaded by the official zoo account, the follower count on their fan page skyrocketed to 2.46 million almost instantly. Many netizens have joined in following due to how adorable the hippo baby is, expressing feelings of emotional healing just from watching her. Recognizing this golden opportunity, the zoo plans to launch a "Moo Deng" themed clothing line, expected to go on sale in September. If you're planning a trip to Thailand, visiting the zoo to see the hippo baby would definitely be worth it!
สวนสัตว์ต้องทำสกุชชี่ #หมูเด้ง ขายแล้วแหละ อยากจกพุงหมูเด้งบ้าง บีบๆ ปิ๊บๆ pic.twitter.com/4NvuiqyrSV
— มัมหมีสู้ชีวิตแต่ชีวิตสู้กลับ in China (@cassieast_girl) September 11, 2024
#หมูเด้ง โหมดอ่อนโยน Cr :ขาหมูแอนเดอะแก๊งค์ pic.twitter.com/SXLuJJONPn
— สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว Khao Kheow Open Zoo (@kkopzoo) September 10, 2024
The internet sensation not only captivates with its cuteness but also sometimes appears to express confusion or bewilderment, leading many artists online to create works inspired by this charming hippopotamus baby. That's all for this sharing; I could easily spend an afternoon daydreaming while looking at pictures of Moo Deng!
