Moo Deng, Pesto, & Hua Hua, who are they?
An adorably aggressive pygmy hippo, a giant fluffy penguin and a huggable panda have taken the internet by storm with their charm and unique personalities. Moo Deng, Pesto the penguin and Hua Hua are some of the most notable names in the animal kingdom, each with a growing online fanbase.
Located in Bang Phra, Thailand, Khao Kheow Open Zoo is home to the internet star pygmy hippo Moo Deng. Born July 10, 2024, she quickly rose to fame as her zookeeper started regularly uploading videos displaying her sassy nature. As the name suggests, pygmy hippos are much smaller than a regular hippopotamus. Native to the swamps of West Africa, pygmy hippos are primarily nocturnal and reclusive. But Moo Deng’s personality has been portrayed as anything but. Videos of her prancing around her enclosure, biting her zookeepers, and headbutting humans have circulated the internet, captivating viewers. Moo Deng’s influence has resonated greatly with fans, even inspiring multiple Halloween costumes this year. On campus, Moo Deng has fans as well, such as Noellia Bonilla ‘27 and Hanna Nunez ‘27. Bonilla said, “[Moo Deng] is really cute and chubby. She’s definitely an it girl on the internet.” Nunez said, “I think [Moo Deng] is really kawaii. She is gorgeous. I really do love her a lot.”
Going southeast of Thailand and heading to Victoria, Australia, Pesto the Penguin lives at the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. At birth, Pesto wasn’t much different from the other king penguin chicks. His egg was roughly the size of an avocado and he weighed 200 grams, on par with the standard penguin chick. Pesto grew much faster than the other penguins, at nine months, he weighed 50 pounds and stood at three feet tall, surpassing his parents’ height. Zookeepers attribute Pesto’s size to his father, Blake, who is one of the largest penguins at the aquarium. Pesto has many fans worldwide who’ve intently watched his growth, some of his fans have even taken the trip to visit him in Melbourne, such as Katy Perry in Sept.
In Sichuan, China, Hua Hua the giant panda lives at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Since birth, Hua Hua has stolen the hearts of thousands around the world. Her unique droplet shaped markings around her eyes create an innocent and gentle atmosphere around the panda, drawing in even more fans. Giant pandas are one of the most endangered species on the planet, making each one worth a fortune. Hua Hua and her brother, He Hua, are worth nearly 300 billion dollars each. With Moo Deng’s and Pesto’s rise to fame, more attention has been drawn back to Hua Hua as she takes her place amongst the other two to form the trio.
No matter your personal feelings towards Moo Deng, Pesto and Hua Hua, their impact on popular culture and the internet is undeniable. With huge fanbases, these three are the “it-girls” of the Animal Kingdom, and they’re here to stay.
