logo
'Hippo Birthday': Thailand's Moo Deng marks one year old

'Hippo Birthday': Thailand's Moo Deng marks one year old

Yahoo10-07-2025
Thailand's pygmy hippo Moo Deng marked her first birthday on Thursday, leaving behind the animal infancy which boosted her to worldwide internet fame for her cute antics.
Crowds have been invited to a four-day festival at Khao Kheow Open Zoo where Moo Deng -- meaning "Bouncy Pork" in Thai -- frolicked to stardom and amassed five million social media fans.
The first day of the extravaganza falls on a Thai public holiday and the agenda includes a lecture on "Moo Deng's cheekiness" while a skincare beautician has paid $3,000 to sponsor her fruit-festooned cake.
Her handlers are also scheduled to auction off her belongings -- but it is unclear what possessions Moo Deng has accumulated in her short life at the Chonburi province zoo a two-hour drive from Bangkok.
There were hopes her stardom would spotlight the plight of the endangered pygmy hippo, native to West Africa with only around 2,500 left alive according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
But social media and search engine metrics suggest Moo Deng's popularity peaked around late September last year before dramatically declining.
"Moo Deng went viral very quickly when she was born," said Joshua Paul Dale, an academic who teaches courses on the phenomenon of "cuteness" at Japan's Chuo University.
"Maybe part of our appreciation of cuteness is knowing that it's something that doesn't last very long," he told AFP.
Moo Deng's blubbery rose-blushed face launched a thousand memes and a plethora of merchandise including piggy banks, party shirts and popsicles -- prompting her owners to trademark her likeness.
The pint-sized pachyderm quadrupled ticket sales for the zoo where her small and sparse enclosure was once broadcasted by a 24/7 livestream.
Moo Deng is part of a pantheon of captive animals who have enjoyed flash-in-the-pan popularity for their cuteness online, including Australia's Pesto the penguin and China's Hua Hua the panda.
Pygmy hippos have a lifespan of between 30 and 50 years.
While academic Dale predicts she may lose the limelight to longevity, he says Moo Deng could enjoy enduring appeal as fans recall "how unbearably cute she was when she was very, very small and just born".
"That can kind of continue on and affect our relationship with cute things, even when they grow up," he said.
bur-sjc/jts/tym
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Might Surprise You: 7 Hollywood Movies That Were Filmed In Asia
Might Surprise You: 7 Hollywood Movies That Were Filmed In Asia

Yahoo

time5 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Might Surprise You: 7 Hollywood Movies That Were Filmed In Asia

Hollywood productions have increasingly utilised diverse Asian locations as settings for major films. Related: In these movies, you'll see Asia's authentic backdrops—ranging from historical temples to vibrant urban centers—with recognisable landmarks and landscapes appearing throughout. So, grab your popcorn, and see if you can spot the scenes shot in Asia! Related: 1. Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) - Hello, Cambodia! 2. The Beach (2000) - Thailand's Secret Paradise (Before It Became So Famous!) Related: 3. Kong: Skull Island (2017) - Vietnam, You Lookin' Good! 4. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) - Singapore, You Slayed! 5. The Dark Knight (2008) - Hong Kong's Urban Jungle Related: 6. Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) - Krabi's Wild Stonescapes 7. Thunderbolts* (2025) - Defying Gravity More on this🇸🇬 Calling All Foodies: Your Ultimate Guide To Eating Your Way Through Singapore's Joo Chiat!retalee · July 15, 2025 From Singlish To Superstitions: Your Crash Course On Navigating Singaporean Culture Like A Proretalee · July 2, 2025 UNIQLO X PopMart's The Monsters Labubu Collection Is Set To Drop This September 2025retalee · July 11, 2025 12 Instagram-Worthy Spots In Singapore That Will Make All Your Friends Jealousretalee · June 19, 2025 Beyond Orchard Road: Hidden Gems For Unique Souvenirs And Finds In Singaporeretalee · July 4, 2025 Also in BuzzFeed: Also in BuzzFeed: Also in BuzzFeed:

Blenheim Palace begins £1m project to restore paintings
Blenheim Palace begins £1m project to restore paintings

Yahoo

time6 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Blenheim Palace begins £1m project to restore paintings

A £1 million project to restore iconic paintings at Blenheim Palace has begun. The year-long conservation programme at the Woodstock site will focus on the artworks in the great hall and the saloon. Kelly O'Driscoll, head of built heritage at Blenheim Palace, said: "This is a pivotal moment for Blenheim Palace. Work taking place to restore one of the paintings (Image: Blenheim Palace) "The saloon and great hall are not only central to the palace's story but also to the experience of the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome each year. "This project will ensure they are protected while opening up new opportunities for learning, research, and public engagement." The conservation scheme will run alongside a separate £12 million roof restoration – the largest project of its kind in the palace's history. The roof, attic timbers, and ceilings have deteriorated due to age, climate change, and water ingress. Work taking place to restore one of the paintings (Image: Blenheim Palace) The artworks which are central to the painting conservation project include the great hall ceiling painting by Sir James Thornhill and Louis Laguerre's paintings of the Battle of Blenheim in the saloon. Lizzie Woolley, director of OPUS Conservation, which is leading the conservation project, said: "We are honoured to be entrusted with this extraordinary project. "The saloon and the great hall are masterpieces of Baroque wall painting, and we look forward to working closely with Blenheim Palace and our academic partners to ensure their best treatment and long-term care." Work taking place to restore one of the paintings (Image: Blenheim Palace) The conservation work will also include detailed analysis and trials, and provide a platform for academic study and hands-on training for the next generation of heritage professionals. It is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The Blenheim Foundation and is supported by experts from the Tate, The Courtauld Institute of Art, and the University of Oxford. Stuart McLeod, director of England – London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "We're proud to support this vital conservation work at Blenheim Palace, which will help protect some of the UK's most significant Baroque artworks for generations to come. Work taking place to restore one of the paintings (Image: Blenheim Palace) "Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will not only restore these historic paintings, but also create inspiring opportunities for visitors to learn, engage, and connect more deeply with our shared heritage." Work has begun this summer, with regular updates and behind-the-scenes insights to be shared with the public throughout the year. Home to the Dukes of Marlborough since 1705, Blenheim Palace is set in more than 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland and is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. The palace has more than 300 years of history and one of the most important and extensive collections in Europe.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store