In a delightful twist of events, the Edinburgh Zoo has set the stage for a captivating contest of charm between two pygmy hippos, highlighting the playful nature of these endangered creatures.
The Edinburgh Zoo recently introduced Haggis, a newborn pygmy hippo, sparking widespread interest as the zoo launched a playful cuteness contest against Moo Deng, a mini hippopotamus from a Thailand zoo.
Moo Deng, who became a sensation on social media earlier this year, was born at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in July. Videos showcasing her antics went viral, and she soon became a meme figure, capturing the hearts of many online. In response, the Thai zoo intends to leverage her popularity to generate funds for its operations through merchandise.
The Scottish zoo took to the social media platform X, humorously engaging in ‘smack talk’ with the message, ‘Moo Deng? Who deng?’ as they announced Haggis to the world. Despite the light-hearted rivalry, both animals share more than just their species, as their names also reflect meat products. Haggis is named after the famous Scottish dish, while Moo Deng translates to ‘bouncy pork’ in Thai, reflecting a quirky yet endearing similarity between the two.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has embarked on a fundraising campaign by offering the chance to win a ‘unique pygmy hippo experience’ to meet Haggis and her family. This initiative aims to reach a target of 15,000 pounds, with over half achieved shortly after the announcement. The funds raised are intended to support conservation efforts for the species, threatened by poaching and habitat loss in West Africa.
Due to conservation guidelines, visitors to Edinburgh Zoo will not immediately see Haggis, as the hippo house will remain closed during the first month for her development. The initial rivalry initiated to boost awareness for Haggis led to an apologetic note from the zoo, acknowledging the importance of celebrating both hippos. The post emphasized the need for space and recognition for ‘two beautiful pygmy hippo divas.’
The playful competition between Haggis and Moo Deng highlights the global appeal of pygmy hippos while drawing attention to the conservation needs of this endangered species.
Source: Local10
