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.

Only a month after the adorable baby hippo Moo Deng was unveiled on Facebook, her fame became unstoppable both domestically and internationally.

The Thai zoo whose baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng has become a global viral sensation moved Thursday to patent her image so it can benefit financially from the extraordinary interest which shows no sign of abating.

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).

Spread the loveTwo-month-old pygmy hippo named Moo Deng has quickly become an internet sensation. The adorable, pink cheeked tiny pot sized cutie born at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, situated near Bangkok,

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.

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.

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.