Moo Deng isn't the only viral zoo star: Meet these other adorable animals stealing hearts

LOS ANGELES – Moo Deng, the tiny pygmy hippopotamus from Thailand, may have captured the heart of the internet, but she's not the only animal getting attention.

Across the world, other zoo animals have gone viral for their unique charm, funny antics and captivating personalities. Here are some of the most popular zoo animals of the year.

Yes, Moo Deng has siblings – and their names could be even cuter

Although Moo Deng has taken the internet by storm, she is not the only baby hippo delight for visitors at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. She has two equally adorable siblings, Moo Toon and Moo Waan.

Their names, chosen by fans through a social media poll, are inspired by popular Thai dishes. Moo Deng means “bouncing pork,” while her siblings are named Moo Toon (braised pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork), adding an extra layer of cuteness to her viral fame.

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Pesto the Penguin: the viral sensation from Australia

Pesto, the king penguin from the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium in Australia, became an internet star shortly after his birth in late January.

As the only king penguin born at the aquarium in two years, Pesto's caretakers have been thrilled to watch him grow – he now weighs in at over 51 pounds. His rise to fame began with a viral gender reveal party hosted at the aquarium, and since then, the adorable penguin has gained a large following on social media, rivaling even Moo Deng's popularity.

Fu Bao, the panda from South Korea

Fu Bao, a giant panda cub born at South Korea's Everland Zoo, has been winning hearts since his birth in 2020. As a young panda, she attracted even more attention with her playful nature and adorable videos. Her antics, from tumbling off platforms to playfully interacting with zookeepers, make her a social media favorite.

She was eventually returned to her homeland under China's conservation and leasing program, marking the next chapter in her life. Her departure left a lasting impression on fans, who continue to celebrate her legacy and appreciate the joy she brought during her time in South Korea.

Rocky the orangutan, the talking star of the Indianapolis Zoo

Rocky, a male orangutan at the Indianapolis Zoo, has become a viral sensation because of his ability to mimic human speech. Rocky is known for producing unique sounds called “Wookiees.” His singing talents have fascinated researchers and fans alike.

Researchers at Durham University trained Rocky to match the pitch of human speech, which has provided insights into the origins of human language. Its vocal abilities suggest that humans and orangutans may share a common ancestor capable of voice control and learning new calls.

In addition to his scholarly contributions, Rocky also made headlines when he announced some of the Indianapolis Colts picks during the 2017 NFL Draft, further demonstrating his star power.

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This rare talent has made him one of the zoo's star attractions, and many visitors love to see him “talk.” While Rocky's “speech” is more about imitating sounds than forming actual words, it is a reminder of how intelligent and complex these great apes really are.

Fiona, the hippopotamus from Cincinnati

Before Moo Deng, there was Fiona – the beloved Cincinnati Zoo hippopotamus who became a global sensation after surviving a premature birth in 2017.

Fiona was born six weeks early and weighed just 29 pounds. Her story of survival and resistance touched people around the world. Thanks to the dedicated care of the zoo staff, Fiona grew into a healthy hippo, now weighing over 1,600 pounds, and continues to delight fans alongside her mother Bibi and half-brother Fritz.

The source:

This article is based on publicly available information from zoo social media platforms, updates from respective zoos, and viral content shared across the Internet.