UK’s Haggis the pygmy hippo takes on Thailand’s Moo Deng

Move over, Moo Deng—there’s a new pygmy hippo on the block! Edinburgh Zoo proudly announced the birth of Haggis, their very own pint-sized star, born to hippo parents Otto and Gloria. This adorable Scotland native may soon be vying for viral fame against Thailand’s superstar, Moo Deng.

The zoo made the big reveal on X (formerly Twitter), quipping, “Moo Deng? Who Deng? Introducing… Haggis!” Along with the big announcement, they shared, “Otto and Gloria have welcomed an adorable pygmy hippo calf! She’s doing well, but our expert keepers will keep the hippo house closed for now to ensure mum and baby are safe during this sensitive time.”

Edinburgh Zoo’s hoofstock team leader, Jonny Appleyard, provided an update on the newborn hippo.

“Haggis is doing well so far, and it is amazing to see her personality beginning to shine already.”

The zoo has chosen to keep the pygmy hippo house temporarily closed.

“The first 30 days are critical for her development.”

Fans of Thailand’s Moo Deng, who has amassed millions of followers across social media for her cheeky antics, have mixed feelings about this new rival. While Moo Deng’s fame took off on TikTok and Instagram, with fans lovingly dubbing her a “beautiful pygmy hippo diva,” Haggis might soon amass her fanbase. Edinburgh Zoo is already offering chances to meet Haggis in person, with funds supporting animal care.

In a playful twist, Edinburgh Zoo’s X account later issued a “notes app apology,” tweeting, “Sorry, guys… We were wrong to pit Haggis and Moo Deng against each other. There’s space for two beautiful pygmy hippo divas!”

Native to West African forests, pygmy hippos are critically endangered, with just 2,500 left in the wild. The zoo hopes Haggis’s arrival will inspire support for their conservation efforts, reported Daily Mail UK.

In related news, a wave of drama unfolded when Thai monks from a temple in the Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri introduced Moo Deng amulets, sparking concern among residents. Locals worry that these charms could make people excessively gullible.