The Edinburgh Zoo has launched a cuteness contest between its newborn pygmy hippo, Haggis, and Moo Deng, a mini hippopotamus that gained viral fame at a Thailand zoo. Moo Deng became a social media star shortly after her birth at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in July, with videos of her going viral and sparking numerous memes. The Thai zoo planned to capitalize on her fame by trademarking her name and creating merchandise to support its operations.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is following suit and seeking to profit from the popularity of its pygmy hippo, Haggis, by offering a unique experience to meet her and her parents, Gloria and Otto, to a lucky winner of a drawing. Tickets are priced at 5 British pounds ($6.50), with the zoo aiming to raise 15,000 pounds ($19,500) in support of conservation efforts for the endangered species. With only an estimated 2,500 pygmy hippos in the wild in West Africa, the species is threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
Despite the initial playful competition between Haggis and Moo Deng, the zoo later apologized for creating a rivalry and acknowledged that both animals deserve to be celebrated. The zoo encouraged visitors to come and fall in love with Haggis, highlighting her playful nature and the charm that has captured the hearts of people worldwide. While the hippo house will be closed during the first month of Haggis’ development, visitors will have the opportunity to see her and learn more about pygmy hippos in the future.
The contest between Haggis and Moo Deng brought attention to the importance of conservation efforts for endangered species like the pygmy hippo. By leveraging the fame of these adorable animals, the zoos are able to raise funds and awareness to support their operations and contribute to the conservation of these vulnerable species. The rivalry between the two pygmy hippos ultimately served as a lighthearted way to draw attention to their plight and emphasize the need for preservation and protection of wildlife around the world.
