Edinburgh Zoo offers apology for comparing new pgymy hippo to internet star Moo Deng

Edinburgh Zoo is under fire online for comparing the birth of its new pygmy hippo to Thailand’s internet sensation, Moo Deng.

Khao Khao Open Zoo’s baby hippo, Moo Deng, went viral in September of 2024 after images circulated online of her at two months old and she quickly became an internet meme.

This week, Edinburgh Zoo announced the birth of a tiny endangered pygmy hippo calf named Haggis and took to X on the 4th of November to say:

“Moo Deng? Who deng? Introducing … Haggis.

Otto and Gloria have welcomed an ADORABLE pygmy hippo calf! She is doing well, but we’ll be keeping the hippo house closed for the time being so that our expert keepers can keep a close eye on mum and baby at this sensitive time.”

Whilst the majority of reception to this news has been welcoming, a few X users took offence to the comparison with one user saying: “I don’t care for this, you didn’t need to take a shot at Moo Deng. Haggis wasn’t born into this world to be used as a cudge.”

In response to some of the backlash, Edinburgh Zoo’s X account sent out a playful apology for pitting the two against each other, posting:

pic.twitter.com/qP0Iolx407

— Edinburgh Zoo (@EdinburghZoo) November 4, 2024

The account continued to poke fun at the situation by posting “Brat” related memes, assuring X users that the comparison was a light-hearted joke:

https://t.co/ZoG7URQEjG pic.twitter.com/rwRG5k4pLQ

— Edinburgh Zoo (@EdinburghZoo) November 4, 2024

The female calf was born on the 30th of October. To celebrate her birth, Edinburgh Zoo is offering the chance to meet her with all the funds raised going towards animal care.

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Pygmy hippos are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN), and due to habitat loss, it is estimated that just 2,500 remain in the wild.

Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo added: “While Thailand’s Moo Deng has become a viral global icon, it is important to remember that pygmy hippos are incredibly rare. It is great to have our own little ambassador right here in Edinburgh to connect with our visitors and help raise awareness of the challenges the species face in the wild.”

Cover images via X