In a world full of troubles, everyone needs something to keep their spirits lifted. For some, it could be a favorite movie or show, for others, maybe it’s spending time with friends. However, a new form of serotonin boost is rapidly taking over the internet; Moo Deng. Moo Deng is a three-month-old baby Pygmy Hippo who lives at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, and ever since her keepers began posting pictures of her when she was born, she has slingshotted into internet popularity! She has countless memes being made of her, thousands of news stories, her own Wikipedia page, and even her own feature on Saturday Night Live!
Despite all these nationwide displays of Moo Deng, plenty of her fanbase can be found here at TWHS. Senior Ivy Kleinman explains about her love for everyone’s favorite pygmy hippo.
“I found her on Tik Tok,” Klienman says, “From then on I just kept seeing more of her all over all my social media.”
As for a favorite Moo Deng moment, Klienman can’t seem to pick from the thousands of pictures floating around the internet. “No moment in particular comes to mind except for all the adorable pictures I love seeing on my instagram!”
Another senior, Griffin Royse, found his way to Moo Deng through different means. “I discovered Moo Deng because my girlfriend watches videos of her all the time, it’s literally the only thing on her instagram. I had also seen a few clips of her on instagram before as well”, Royse explains.
Royse’s favorite Moo Deng moment is a classic that everyone knows and loves. “There are so many funny Moo Deng moments it’s hard to choose. However, I’d have to say my favorite moment is when she sits in her mom’s food bucket.”
Despite Moo Deng being the undisputed queen of the internet, she isn’t the only enchanting baby animal to reach super-stardom this year.
“Pesto the penguin is one I’ve been seeing everywhere,” Klienman says of this celebrity status baby penguin who lives just south of Moo Deng in Australia. “His little sideburns where he’s molting are so cute!”
Although Pesto is insanely cute, it is plain to see that not he or any other baby animal can ever take the place of Moo Deng in the hearts of the people.
“I’ve heard about Pesto and another baby hippo called Olivia who is also super cute, but none of them compare to the one and only Moo Deng. Nobody can beat her!” Royse stated on the matter.
So, if you still need that extra pick-me-up after a long day, remember to look no further than your phone! One search and Moo Deng will be there to cheer you up. She truly is the people’s princess.
