The latest thing to take the internet by storm isn’t a new trend or the hottest celebrity gossip — it’s a pygmy hippo and a baby penguin.
Unfortunately, it’s not all glitz and glamor for these little guys. Like human celebrities, they’re experiencing some harassment from visitors.
Moo Deng, translated to “bouncy pork” in English, is a two-month-old hippo making waves in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Thailand. Her fame stems from viral memes that captured the hearts of people across the globe. My social media has been flooded with her antics, and I can’t get enough of her charm.
In September 2024, Moo Deng’s zookeeper, Atthapon Nundee, began posting videos of her lounging with her mother, sleeping and playfully “attacking” him. When the world caught wind of her, she became an internet sensation and the zoo saw a large influx in visitors — raising the usual 3,000 to over 10,000, according to The Independent.
Her fame isn’t just attracting crowds, it’s drawing aggressive people to her home.
In videos Nundee posts, he often pokes at Moo Deng and records her reactions which include nibbling and charging. While this seems a little cruel given her reactions, it’s simply preparing her for the constant attention she’ll receive from her caretakers as she grows older. After all, hippos need check-ups too.
Consequently, visitors to the zoo have begun mimicking Nundee’s actions to an extreme extent. They’ve thrown water and other objects at Moo Deng in hopes of her doing something cute in return. It’s inhumane to provoke an innocent baby hippo for a few likes on social media. In response, the zoo has threatened legal action against visitors who violate Moo Deng’s safety and well-being.
However, Moo Deng isn’t the only adorable animal to grab the world’s attention.
Pesto, a nine-month-old king penguin, resides at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium in Australia. His feathers make him weigh more than both of his parents combined at a solid 50 pounds. When Pesto grows into his adult feathers through a process called fledging, he’ll weigh about 33 pounds, according to AP News.
Marine biologist Jacinta Early, told BBC that Pesto has a “very healthy appetite” and gets hand fed up to 30 fish per day — a hefty amount for a penguin chick.
Celebrities have even jumped on the bandwagon to show their love for Pesto.
Sea Life Melbourne posted a TikTok video that features Pesto waddling to Katy Perry’s new song “LIFETIMES.” The caption says, “From one icon to another — @katyperry come meet pesto. Catch this VIP (Very Important Penguin) at Sea Life Melbourne.” Perry replied in the comment section, “Ok I will come by and get a blessing before I take the stage at the @afl.”
Yet, like Moo Deng, Pesto also faces disruptive visitors.
Early explained that although there are measures in place to keep the penguins safe, people will do just about anything to get their attention.
“If we do have people banging on the acrylic and using flash photography, or trying to make a penguin follow their finger, that can stress them out,” Early said in an article by the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
While viral content is showcasing Moo Deng and Pesto’s adorable habits, it’s inviting problematic behavior from visitors who want to provoke them for the sake of social media clout.
Their fame not only highlights the fascination humans have with wildlife, but also the ethical boundaries crossed in pursuit of that fascination.
Social media enhances the connection we feel with animal icons like Moo Deng and Pesto. Even though we primarily encounter them on a screen, it doesn’t diminish the emotional connections we form — much like the bonds we make with our pets in real life.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become powerful tools in elevating these animals to celebrity status, creating a strong sense of community of fans who rally together to swoon over these precious zoo animals.
As much as I love this online duo, it’s crucial to remember that their well-being should always come first. While these animals provide us with daily lighthearted content, we must ensure that we engage with them with responsibility both online and in real life.
The joy these animals bring us should never come at the cost of their safety.
Even though they aren’t human, they still deserve respect and care.
