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Move over Moo Deng! See the new baby pygmy hippo born in Kansas

Move over Moo Deng! See the new baby pygmy hippo born in Kansas

USA Today11-07-2025
"This baby is adorable, but he's also an ambassador for a species that needs our attention," Tanganyika Wildlife Park Marketing Manager Daniel Neale said.
A new shiny, rotund baby pygmy hippo has entered the chat, and animal lovers are already falling in love.
A male pygmy hippopotamus – the same species as Thailand's famous Moo Deng – was born at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kansas on June 26. Born at just under 13 pounds, the baby has been confirmed to be healthy and alert, the park said in a news release. He's bonding with his mother and already showing early signs of confidence and playfulness.
The baby hippo, who doesn't yet have a name, was born to parents Pluto and Posie. Both arrived to Tanganyika Wildlife Park in 2014 and have had five calves together, including the latest addition.
A TikTok video posted by the wildlife park, introducing the wide-eyed hippo, had garnered more than 1.9 million views, as of July 11.
Moo Deng turns 1! See how the iconic hippo is celebrating her birthday.
What is the baby hippo's name?
Tanganyika Wildlife Park is hosting an online vote to name the new, baby hippo. To vote, visit the park's website at info.twfdn.org/baby-hippo-name. There are three names to choose from: Styx, Mars and Thor. To cast a vote, you must donate at least $25 to the park.
Voting is open through July 18 and Tanganyika Wildlife Park will announce the winning name on July 19.
Here's how to visit the baby hippo
The baby hippo will make his first public appearance at the park later this summer, Tanganyika Wildlife Park said in a news release.
The park will also offer a pygmy hippo meet and greet experience during its open season, which is March through November.
Why are pygmy hippos so popular?
Pygmy hippos gained popularity on social media last summer with the birth of Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Countless photos and videos of the chubby hippo eating lunch, running after zookeepers and cuddling with her momma garnered millions of views online.
The viral hippo celebrated her first birthday on Thursday, July 10 with a hefty tropical fruit platter.
Pygmy hippos were deemed endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2016. Less than 3,000 remain in the wild and less than 450 are managed in professional zoological care, Tanganyika Wildlife Park said in a news release.
The species faces threads from habitat destruction, bushmeat (wild animal meat) hunting, and the mining of coltan, a mineral commonly used in smartphones and laptops, Tanganyika Wildlife Park continued.
"This baby is adorable, but he's also an ambassador for a species that needs our attention," said Daniel Neale, Tanganyika Wildlife Park marketing manager said in a news release. "Protecting wildlife starts with caring about it."
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
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At his first Comic-Con, George Lucas previews Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
At his first Comic-Con, George Lucas previews Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

USA Today

time25 minutes ago

  • USA Today

At his first Comic-Con, George Lucas previews Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

SAN DIEGO – George Lucas has amassed 50 years of cool stuff, and now he's going to have a place to put it. Even better, you can see it, too. Original sketches, paintings and assorted illustrations from the 'Star Wars' creator's personal collection – plus quite a bit representing that galaxy far, far away − will be on display at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The building is under construction in Los Angeles' Exposition Park, will open in 2026, and is dedicated to 'cultural fantasy,' Lucas said. The Hollywood icon was joined on Sunday, July 27, at a Comic-Con panel about the museum by 'Star Wars' illustrator and production designer Doug Chiang, Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, and moderator Queen Latifah. It was Lucas' first time at Comic-Con in his legendary career, earning a standing ovation from the 6,500 faithful in Hall H. But instead of waxing nostalgic about "Star Wars" and his movies, Lucas previewed the creation of his passion project. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox A video narrated by Samuel L. Jackson took the crowd on a tour of what will be in the space, from an exhibit on myths through the ages to displays featuring artists like Norman Rockwell, Frank Frazetta, Jack Kirby and R. Crumb. Some of the works in the museum include the first Flash Gordon character drawing from 1934 ('You can see all the smudges,' Latifah noted), original 'Peanuts' sketches from the 1950s and '60s, and an original drawing of the 'Iron Man' No. 1 cover from 1968. 'Star Wars' fans will find plenty to love, too, including actual vehicles like a Naboo starfighter from Lucas' prequel movies and speeder bikes from 'Return of the Jedi.' And here's another fun fact: The museum architecture contains no right angles, only curves. Lucas, 81, has collected 40,000 pieces of art in the past five decades. 'It occurred to me: What am I going to do with it all?' he said. 'I'm not going to sell it. I could never do that. It's not what art is.' He called the museum a "temple to the people's art" and discussed that art is "a personal thing" to us, "not how much it cost or what celebrity did it or whatever. And I don't think it's anything that anybody else can tell you, 'That's art, that's not art.' It doesn't work that way. If you have an emotional connection, then it's art. "I've discovered just from my experience of making movies and things that other people's opinions don't mean much." Del Toro, a board member for the Lucas museum, appreciates "the pieces we have that celebrate freedom from anarchy," he said. "Comics were the first one to punch Nazis before movies." And with art, "we're not eternal. But what we hold and cherish is." The recent fires made del Toro worry a little about his own large collection. "I draw the line at three houses full of stuff," he said with a laugh. "Now that this museum exists, maybe some of it goes there." And the Lucas museum very much reflects the man whose name is on it, said Chiang, whose own work will be on display. "George leads from the heart, and this museum is him. My hope is that it will inspire the next Norman Rockwell or Frank Frazetta."

32 Summer Products For Homebodies
32 Summer Products For Homebodies

Buzz Feed

time2 hours ago

  • Buzz Feed

32 Summer Products For Homebodies

A portable 120-inch screen bringing the cinematic experience of a drive-in to you. Set it up with a mini Bluetooth projector (compatible with TV sticks, gaming consoles, laptops, your phone, and more) and enjoy entertainment under the stars with family and friends (or solo). A lightweight, hypoallergenic heat-absorbing cooling blanket — one side is made of 100% Egyptian cotton, while the other has "Arc-Chill" cooling fibers that absorb your body heat and wick away moisture, instantly cooling you by 4–9 degrees. It's perfect for hot sleepers who love to snuggle but hate waking up sweaty! A 10-foot USB-C cable so you can continue scrolling deep in the TikTok vortex without worrying about your phone's battery entering the red zone. With this gloriously long piece of charging magic, you can stay snuggled in your "you-shaped" dent without ever having to budge. (Oh, and if you're rocking an older iPhone model, here's a version for that!) A cool-to-the-touch bamboo fabric sleep set that'll have you counting down the minutes until you can slip into it. Made with light, breathable fabric, this set is perfect for anyone who always runs hot and needs a little extra help staying cool and comfortable in bed. A bestselling double cotton hammock so you can kick back in your own cozy cocoon without a care in the world. This sturdy steel setup is your quick fix to the age-old "no trees to hang a hammock" problem, making your dream of lounging in a hanging haven a reality. An oscillating tower fan that's apparently so good, one reviewer crowned it "THE GLACIER." This fan has six different speeds and can blow cool air up to 30 feet away. Plus, it comes with four modes to choose from, so you can customize the breeze just how you like it, and reviewers rave about how incredibly quiet it is. No more annoying fan noise while you're trying to relax or sleep! A set of waterproof, rechargeable "flaming" Bluetooth speakers perfect for unwinding with some soothing lo-fi beats as the sun sets — they even have a flame lighting mode that makes them flicker like real torches. You can place them on your table, dangle from a ceiling or tree, or stake them into the ground. A Ninja Slushi maker slushifying literally anything you can dream of — wine, coffee, soda, juice, even chocolate milk. Just pour your liquid of choice in, pick one of the five preset settings, and let the magic happen. It's the perfect excuse to invite your pals over for a movie marathon, with frosty, delicious creations in hand. Frozen margs on demand in this heat? Um, YES PLEASE!!! An inflatable pool if you're anything like me and ready to bust out the swimsuit as soon as the temperature hits 65 degrees. Now you can kick back and sip on a glass of lemonade while cooling off, even if you've only got a tiny backyard. 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There's five adjustable back positions and three footrest settings, ensuring you find your *perfect* lounge angle, plus a handy cup holder and zippered side pocket for stashing items. Along with an adjustable mister made to cool you (and your surroundings) off by up to 20 degrees. Whether you're catching some rays on a lounge chair or just chilling on your patio, this mister can stand on its own or wrap around a structure with ease. A Dazzle Dry Mini Kit, because sometimes the best summer plans involve chilling at home doing your nails. This kit includes everything you need for a flawless mani: a nail prep solution, a base coat, a chic nail polish color, a top coat, and a special "reviving solution" to keep things fresh. And! The polish dries in under five minutes, so you don't have to awkwardly fling your hands arond to make them dry faster. A Biodance overnight collagen mask if you'd rather skip the scorching sun and enjoy in some self-care instead. 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A set of blackout thermal curtains designed to help insulate your room, blocking out that hot, glaring sunlight while keeping in your cool air as your AC works its magic. Bonus: No more being woken up with the sun if you like to sleep in on the weekends. A gaming/reading/laptop pillow so you can prop your hands up and play video games, type, or read on your Kindle or iPad from bed or the couch in an ~ergonomically friendly~ way that won't catch up with you (or your joints) a few years down the line. It even has a little side pocket ideal for stashing things like your remote controls, glasses, and emergency treats. A nifty little book tracker bookmark so you can keep track of all the literary worlds you've explored without having to actually leave your cozy little nook. This can also motivate you to tackle that ever-growing pile of unread books so you can fill out your cute "bookshelf."

Cooked: Celebrated Chef exits new venture after allegedly balking at free food for influencer because she wasn't famous enough
Cooked: Celebrated Chef exits new venture after allegedly balking at free food for influencer because she wasn't famous enough

New York Post

time6 hours ago

  • New York Post

Cooked: Celebrated Chef exits new venture after allegedly balking at free food for influencer because she wasn't famous enough

A prominent San Francisco chef threw in the apron at his newly opened cafe after allegedly belittling a TikTok influencer during a tense exchange over her follower count aired out in a viral video. The incident unfolded Wednesday at Kis Cafe in Hayes Valley, when 'micro-influencer' @itskarlabb described how she had pre-arranged a collab with the restaurant's team and showed up early to film content, according to a video she posted to her platform. 3 Influencer @itskarlabb was allegedly belittled by top chef Luke Sung over her supposedly low follower count, leaving her running from his new California restaurant in tears. itskarlabb/tiktok The influencer, known as Karla, claimed that a man — later identified as celebrated James Beard Award-nominated chef and co-owner Luke Sung — questioned her 15,000-follower count and told staff it was a 'mistake' to invite an influencer so small. 'I know they're talking about me, because I can hear them saying 'TikTok, views, followers' ,' she said in a later video, which has racked up more than 20 million views. The influencer said that when she introduced herself, Sung grilled her over whether she had researched the restaurant, a wine bar serving small bites. She insisted she knew the menu and the vibe, but Sung disagreed and began scrolling through her TikTok feed at full volume within earshot, the influencer said. 'After scrolling like, two times, he says to me that he doesn't think my videos are at the level which he wants his restaurant represented,' she recalled. 'It seemed like he was insinuating that my followers would not be able to afford to eat at this restaurant.' 3 Sung couldn't take the heat after the pair's alleged exchange went viral and left his new venture. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Sung then reportedly asked, 'Do you know who I am?' and told Karla he was a two-time James Beard Award finalist and that his daughter is Big Apple vlogger, Isa Sung, who has 600,000 TikTok followers. He also dismissed the influencer's cooking videos she posted to her platform, dissing them as 'homey,' Karla said. The belittling exchange left her in tears, she said. 'I told him I felt disrespected and didn't want to collaborate anymore,' the influencer said. Karla's follower count has since skyrocketed to more than 350,000 since she shared the story on TikTok. The influencer said she wants to 'be an advocate for micro influencers' who don't receive as many handouts. 'You don't need to have a million followers to be respected or feel like you're making a difference,' she said. 3 Kis Cafe, which opened in May, announced that Sung had left as chef and co-owner. FOX By Friday, Kis Cafe's was getting cooked on Yelp, where its rating plunged from four to five stars to just over two stars, and reviews for 'Isa '– a 'pioneering' Cal-French restaurant that Sung previously opened and named after his influencer daughter — grew with haters lambasting the chef for his behavior. Kis Cafe, which opened in May, soon announced that Sung had left as a chef and co-owner, later clarifying he had done so of his 'own accord' and was not technically fired. 'Our chef's behavior was unacceptable, and he is no longer a part of the team,' Kis Cafe wrote in an Instagram post Thursday. The restaurant said it has now temporarily closed to 'restructure.' 'We want to create a space that's welcoming and respectful to everyone. In this instance, we failed to do so,' Kis Cafe said in a statement.

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