Moo Deng, the pygmy hippopotamus who became a viral sensation, celebrated her first birthday on 10 July with a four-day festival at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Her online popularity, driven by social media videos, significantly boosted zoo visitor numbers, leading to corporate sponsorships and the creation of branded merchandise.

Before Moo Deng became a viral sensation, baby Obi was making waves with his mom at the Melbourne Zoo in Australia. A YouTube video from Zoos Victoria shows the baby pygmy hippo taking its first swim in the larger pool of its enclosure,

A four-day birthday bash is rolling out for Thailand’s biggest celebrity. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.