"Walking Cute Sausage"... Thai Baby Hippo Gaining Popularity Like Pubao

Over 20,000 Thai Citizens Vote for the Name 'Mudeng'
Color Cosmetics Inspired by Mudeng Also Released

There is an animal that is gaining tremendous popularity in Thailand, rivaling the much-loved Pubao in Korea. The star is a baby pygmy hippo named 'Mudeng,' born last July at the Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand.

Recently, videos featuring a baby hippo have been posted on YouTube channels such as Bangkok Post. The baby hippo appearing in this video is 'Mudeng,' born in July at the Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand.
[Photo by YouTube channel 'Bangkok Post']

Recently, videos featuring a baby hippo were posted on YouTube channels such as Bangkok Post. The baby hippo appearing in these videos is 'Mudeng,' born last July at the Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand. This baby hippo was born on July 10 to Jona (female, 25) and Tony (male, 24). It was born healthy and was revealed to the public starting from the 25th of the same month.

The zoo named the baby through a naming contest, choosing 'Mudeng.' Mudeng refers to a type of bouncy pork meatball in Thailand, similar to Korea’s Donggeurangttaeng (Korean-style meat patties). Other candidates included Mudang (roasted meat) and Mussap (minced meat).

. The image of the hippo caretaker spraying water and the hippo opening its mouth wide in surprise, as well as playing together, has become a hot topic on social media (SNS) for showing interaction between the caretaker and the animal.
[Photo by YouTube channel 'Bangkok Post']

The name Mudeng was decided by over 20,000 votes. Above all, Mudeng became a hot topic on social media for its interactions with the zookeepers, such as opening its mouth wide in surprise when sprayed with water or playing around with them. Especially popular was the expression that looked like it was angry after getting wet. It is said that Mudeng enjoys playfully biting the zookeepers. Its adorable appearance combined with a surprising personality has attracted many fans. Moreover, merchandise such as pants and t-shirts featuring Mudeng’s image has been released.

Additionally, fan art is pouring in from around the world, and a cosmetics brand even launched color makeup products inspired by Mudeng’s colors in stores across Thailand. Bangkok Post reported that people who consider themselves Mudeng fans visit the zoo daily with cameras in hand. Mudeng’s images have also been shared on domestic online communities, where Korean netizens responded with comments like "Really cute" and "Looks like a walking sausage."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.