Hope DeFazio

Contributing Writer

A baby Pygmy Hippo and a King Penguin are taking over the internet with their distinct personalities. They are plastered all over social media platforms as well as getting visited by celebrities. Will this newfound fame last forever or just for a season?

Moo Deng, translated to “Bouncing Pig”, was born on July 10, 2024, at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri Thailand. She is known for her lively energy and aggression towards the zoo keepers.

Since she became popular, the zoo began to sell merchandise featuring Moo Deng, and the number of visitors has doubled. Yet this fame has come with occasional negative behavior from guests. One incident involved a group of visitors throwing objects and water at Moo Deng so she would wake up for a picture. In response, the zoo increased their security and now only allow five-minute windows to view her on the weekends.

Pesto is a King Penguin chick who hatched at the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium in Australia on Jan 30, 2024. This makes him the first King Penguin chick to be born in the aquarium since 2022.

Now at nine months old, Pesto weighs 50 pounds and is three feet tall, towering over his foster parents Tango and Hudson.

Tango and Hudson are two male penguins who have taken Pesto in as their own. Since Pesto is the youngest in his enclosure, some of the other penguins have picked on him causing his parents to immediately stick up for their son.

When asked why Pesto is so large a Marine Biologist from the Aquarium said, “It’s a combination of nature [and] nurture really.”

Several times a day Pesto is hand-fed fish which roughly accumulates to 30 fish a day.

Pesto has caught the attention of thousands of people, including Katy Perry, who visited him on Sept 27, 2024.

Moo Deng and Pesto have also accumulated fame here at ESU.

Jamilah Gordon, a freshman, was asked a series of questions about these two famous animals. The interview is below:

How did you hear about Moo Deng and Pesto?

“TikTok”

Why do you think Moo Deng and Pesto have gained so much attention?

“Pesto did because he looks different, a large baby. Moo Deng did because she is an aggressive hippo. She acts differently, and people like her differently, which is more exciting.”

In your opinion, how long do you think this fame will last? Do you think they will remain popular in the future?

“I believe they will both be famous in the future because Pesto might continue to grow and get bigger and become a fat penguin, and hopefully Moo Deng will not be as aggressive, because it will be harmful to her image.”

Do you think people are more drawn to Moo Deng or Pesto? Why?

“Moo Deng, because she is more interesting to watch. She does stuff like bite people compared to Pesto who is just cute and giant.”

What do you think the lasting legacy of Moo Deng and Pesto will be?

“Pesto will be for his size, that one large baby penguin. And Moo Deng’s legacy is proof that animals have emotions and are more human than they believe. They have personalities.”

Time will tell if Pesto and Moo Deng will continue to be internet sensations or fade into “just another meme of 2024.”