A playful and pudgy baby hippopotamus in Thailand who loves splashing about in water and enjoys belly rubs from her keeper has captivated the internet and left the zoo housing her struggling to manage large crowds jostling to see the latest global celebrity.

Moo Deng, which literally means “bouncy pork” in Thai, is a type of meatball. The name was chosen by fans via a poll on social media and it matches her other siblings: Moo Toon (stewed pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork). There is also a common hippo at the zoo named Kha Moo (stewed pork leg).

Moo Deng has become a social media sensation, drawing crowds and raising awareness for endangered species conservation.

A two-month-old baby pygmy hippo in Thailand who went viral on social media has been harassed by visitors, leading to zoo authorities adding additional security around her enclosure. Moo Deng, whose name translates to “bouncy pork”, became instantly popular after clips of her on the zoo’s TikTok account caught the notice of people online.

Moo Deng, a playful, pink and pudgy hippo rose to fame this month after zookeeper Atthapon Nundee posted videos of her bathing, sleeping, and biting. Her fan base grew immediately and she’s already amassed a whopping 2.

The Internet's latest celebrity crush isn't an actor, politician, or sports personality, but a two-month-old pygmy hippo named Moo Deng, residing in a zoo in Thailand.

Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo from Thailand, has inspired a viral makeup trend featuring glossy skin and soft pink blush. TikTok creators are recreating the look, making the hippo a sensation in the beauty world.