Moo Deng Isn’t the Zoo’s Only Viral Star: Meet These Other Adorable Animals Who Are Stealing Hearts

LOS ANGELES – Moo Deng, Thailand’s baby pygmy hippopotamus, may have stolen the Internet’s hearts, but she’s not the only animal attracting attention.

Around the world, other zoo animals are going viral for their unique charm, funny antics, and captivating personalities. Here are some of the most popular zoo animals of the year.

Yes, Moo Deng has siblings – and their names might be even cuter

Although Moo Deng has taken the internet by storm, she is not the only baby hippo to charm visitors to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. She has two equally adorable siblings, Moo Toon and Moo Waan.

Their names, chosen by fans via a social media poll, are inspired by beloved Thai dishes. Moo Deng means “bouncing pig”, while its siblings are called Moo Toon (stew pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork), adding an extra layer of cuteness to their viral fame.

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Pesto the Penguin: the viral sensation from Australia

Pesto, the king penguin at Sea Life Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia, became an Internet star shortly after his birth in late January.

As the only king penguin born at the aquarium in two years, Pesto’s keepers have been delighted to see him grow, now tipping the scales at over 51 pounds. His rise to fame began with a viral gender reveal party hosted by the aquarium, and since then, the adorable penguin has gained a large following on social media, rivaling even Moo Deng’s popularity.

Fu Bao, the panda of South Korea

Fu Bao, a giant panda born at Everland Zoo in South Korea, has been captivating hearts since her birth in 2020. Now a young panda, she has attracted even more attention with her playful nature and adorable videos. Her antics, from tumbling off platforms to playfully interacting with zookeepers, make her a social media favorite.

Under China’s conservation and rental program, she was eventually returned to her homeland, marking the next chapter of her life. Her departure left a lasting impact on fans who continue to celebrate her legacy and cherish the joy she brought during her time in South Korea.

Rocky the orangutan, the star of the Indianapolis Zoo who imitates speech

Rocky, a male orangutan at the Indianapolis Zoo, has become a viral sensation thanks to his ability to imitate human speech. Known for producing unique sounds called “wookies,” Rocky’s vocal talents have captivated researchers and fans alike.

Researchers at Durham University qualified Rocky to match the height of human language, which provided insight into the origins of human language. Its vocal abilities suggest that humans and orangutans may share a common ancestor capable of voice control and learning new calls.

In addition to his scientific contributions, Rocky also made headlines by announcing some of the Indianapolis Colts’ selections in the 2017 NFL Draft, demonstrating his star power.

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This rare talent has made him one of the main attractions at the zoo, with many visitors eager to see him “talk”. Although Rocky’s “speech” is more about imitating sounds than forming actual words, it serves as a reminder of how intelligent and complex these great apes are.

Fiona, the Cincinnati hippopotamus

Before Moo Deng, there was Fiona, the Cincinnati Zoo’s beloved hippo who became a global sensation after surviving a premature birth in 2017.

Born six weeks early and weighing just 29 pounds, Fiona’s story of survival and resilience touched people around the world. Thanks to the dedicated care of zoo staff, Fiona has grown into a healthy hippopotamus, now weighing more than 1,600 pounds, and continues to delight fans alongside her mother, Bibi, and half-brother, Fritz.

The source :

This article is based on publicly available information from the zoos’ social media platforms, updates from the respective zoos, and viral content shared across the internet.