Moo Deng

By Becca Foley and Noah Riffe

Sept. 24, 2024

Defiant, sassy, slippery, chubby, loves to scream. We can all relate.

If you have yet to come across the internet’s favorite pygmy hippopotamus, then meet Moo Deng. She’s a bit of a diva.

Match

Match the following words with their correct description:

• defiant

• sassy

• slippery

• chubby

little arrogant, acts as if above others

unashamed, happy to be looked at

bound to cause sliding

a little extra weight included

• little arrogant, acts as if above others

• unashamed, happy to be looked at

• bound to cause sliding

• a little extra weight included

Categorize

Options (5)

defiant

sassy

likes to scream

slippery

chubby

Organize these words into the right categories:

Typical for a diva

Not typical for a diva

By Becca Foley and Noah Riffe

Sept. 24, 2024

“The hottest, hottest new It girl on the planet,” Hoda Kotb, a co-anchor on the “Today” show, said during a recent episode. “She’s redefining beauty standards: She’s got chubby pink cheeks, a distinct potato shape.”

Multiple Choice

She’s redefining beauty standards

• changing

• accepting

• learning about

• not understanding

Multiple Choice

Moo Deng looks like...

Multiple Choice

Hoda Kotb, a co-anchor

Since Moo Deng’s public introduction by the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri, Thailand, south of Bangkok, on July 25, when she was 2 weeks old, her star has only risen.

Her name, which translates to “bouncy pork,” was chosen by a poll held on the zoo’s Facebook page; around 20,000 people voted. There were three options: Moo Deng, Moo Sap (minced pork) and Moo Daeng (red pork). Moo Deng won easily.

Multiple Choice

Which of the below is "minced pork"

Multiple Choice

The name of the hippo was chosen...

• in a digital poll

• by televoting

• by the president of Thailand

• by the director of the zoo

Atthapon Nundee, Moo Deng’s keeper at the zoo, began sharing content about the pygmy hippo on social media immediately. “I think I am close with her to the point I can share lovely day-to-day activities,” he said in an email. “Most people like that and watching her grow up.”

But it was Yammi Saracino, a ceramacist and content creator born in Bangkok, who is at least partially responsible for the hippo’s initial international fame. When he saw the zoo’s Facebook poll, he felt compelled to translate it into English so that a broader audience would find her.

Match

Match the following

• initial

• compelled

• broad

• pygmy

early

forced

wide

dwarf

• early

• forced

• wide

• dwarf

Interest outside the zoo has been huge ever since, with the young pygmy hippo being mentioned by companies, sports teams, public transit, buildings, an encyclopedia and meme lovers all over the world. There is even a cryptocurrency that bears her likeness.

The whole adventure has raised awareness for pygmy hippopotamuses, which are smaller and more land loving than a common hippo. They are native to the swamps and forests of West Africa and there are fewer than 3,000 of the animals in the wild.

That being said, Moo Deng is not the only one to gain internet fame: Toni, a pygmy hippo at Zoo Berlin, has also had people talking this summer. But Mr. Saracino believes Moo Deng has been able to stand out, thanks to her cuteness and spunky personality.
“Moo Deng specifically, even in comparison to her siblings, is really bouncy and really feisty,” he said. “She has no teeth but is adamant about biting her keeper.” (This is probably because Moo Deng is teething, according to Mr. Nundee, Moo Deng’s keeper.)