Watch: 2-Month-Old Baby Hippo Is Melting Hearts With Its Cute Antics

With her rosy cheeks and irresistible charm, two-month-old pygmy hippo Moo Deng is truly winning hearts across the internet. The latest addition to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Bangkok, Moo Deng has become a social media sensation, drawing large crowds to her home. Since her caretakers began sharing glimpses of her daily activities, Moo Deng has delighted viewers with her playful antics—whether she’s munching on her favourite foods, rolling around, taking sunlit swims or frolicking with her caretakers. The viral videos of her endearing moments are spreading joy and garnering widespread attention.

Her expressive features—the little hippo almost looks like a Pokemon character. Not only that, she has even inspired some fan art, memes and branded merchandise, collaborating with Sephora.

Narongwit Chodchoy, the zoo’s director, highlighted that Moo Deng’s innate cuteness and playful behaviour have significantly boosted tourist numbers, as reported by CNN. He noted that visitor attendance has surged by at least 30 per cent since the pygmy hippo’s arrival.

Highly impressed social media users can’t help but shower love on the hippo. One wrote, “Who pumped air into this little one? He’s so cute!”

Another commented, “So cute! Can you keep going like this?”

“She’s the cutest, and I wish I could see her!” another comment read.

Despite the growing online fame, the zoo director has also spoken up about certain challenges that the staff is facing. In incidents of inappropriate tourist behaviour, such as pouring water on the hippo or throwing a shell at her, the director has called for tourists to be respectful, warning of legal action against anyone caught in action. Atthapon Nundee, a zookeeper, spoke to The Guardian and reiterated, “I hope that the cuteness of Moo Deng will raise awareness for people to come and learn about the species.”

Born in July this year to parents Jona and Tony, Moo Deng joins her siblings, Moo Tun and Moo Warn. For those unaware, pygmy hippos are native to West Africa and form a very smaller group of relatives to the larger hippopotamus. With only about 2,000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild, they are considered endangered.