By Alethea Lo
STAFF WRITER
You probably have heard of Moo Deng before. Moo Deng is the world’s most celebrated hippo who’s cute structure has brought her fame. Moo Deng is a two-month year old pygmy hippo who is located in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. She first got the attention of the internet on Tiktok and Instagram. The main attraction of Moo Deng is her rosy cheeks which inspire a range of beauty techniques. The average amount of people who come to see Moo Deng can range from 10,000 – 20,000.
Read more: Moo DengDespite Moo Deng’s cuteness and fame, her species is endangered. Moo Deng comes from an elusive and vulnerable species that is the world’s smallest species of hippos. Due to their small size, they aren’t as enigmatic compared to their larger cousins. As a result of their endangerment, pygmy hippos are legally protected in West African countries. A community effort has led to the increase of the species and has produced a national strategy for them. In conclusion, Moo Deng’s cuteness has not only made her an international star but has also increased the message of her species’ endangerment.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240926-the-shrinking-habitat-of