A new contender has emerged in the world of viral animal celebrities: Haggis, a baby pygmy hippo born at Edinburgh Zoo. In a cheeky announcement, the zoo playfully threw shade at Moo Deng, the beloved hippo that has captured hearts online over the past few months.
In a tweet introducing Haggis, the zoo quipped, “Moo Deng? Who deng?” and revealed that the adorable calf, born to parents Otto and Gloria, is doing well. However, the hippo house will remain closed temporarily as staff closely monitor the mother and baby during this sensitive period.
While the playful jabs may seem unnecessary, they highlight a growing trend of animal rivalries on social media, where fans are eager to celebrate their favorites. Edinburgh Zoo, keen on boosting Haggis’ popularity, has embraced the friendly competition by making humorous remarks in response to fans. They even issued a lighthearted “apology” via their social media, echoing a common gesture among celebrities after a faux pas.
The strategy appears to be paying off. In just six hours, the tweet announcing Haggis’ arrival garnered over 12,000 likes and an impressive 1 million video views. Although Edinburgh Zoo has playfully hinted at a rivalry with Moo Deng, it seems there may be enough room for both adorable pygmy hippos to shine in the spotlight.
As these two charming animals vie for internet fame, it’s clear that the world is ready to embrace multiple hippo stars. After all, who wouldn’t want more adorable hippo content in their feeds?
