Could Obi be Moo Deng’s perfect match? Meet Adelaide’s handsome pygmy hippo

Is your algorithm full of Moo Deng content too? Meet the just-as-cute pygmy hippo who calls Adelaide Zoo home.

Meet Moo Deng, the two month old pygmy hippo who has captured the hearts of online audiences.

This adorable starlet has gone viral on Tik Tok and Instagram with videos and photos of her amassing millions of views.

With her sassy personality and super cute face, Moo Deng, whose name translates to “bouncy pig” calls Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand home, meaning that you will need to hop on a plane to see her.

Moo Deng, a two-month-old female pygmy hippo who has recently become a viral internet sensation, has a nap at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province. Picture: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

But did you know that Adelaide Zoo has their very own Moo Deng?

Obi the pygmy hippo has been an Adelaide local since 2016 and now nine years old has become a favourite of visitors, volunteers and keepers.

“He is fully grown now and he loves his food … and he loves to play so visitors here love to watch him play,” Senior Keeper of Ungulates, Elise Maurer said.

“I am sure (Moo Deng) has sparked a bit of interest in the species in general which is great because they are actually endangered so we have a bit of work to do to save them from extinction.”

With school holidays fast approaching, Obi can be visited at Adelaide Zoo every day of the week with visitors even able to get up close and personal with the handsome hippo.

“We do actually offer our pygmy hippo encounter … so you can come and help us feed Obi his lunch which is really fun,” Ms Maurer said.

“Coming along not only helps us here at Adelaide Zoo, we are a conservation charity ourselves, but obviously helps us raise awareness for the plight of the pygmy hippo as well.”

Adelaide Zoo's pygmy hippo, Obi. Picture: Adrian Mann

Adelaide Zoo is one of the only three Australian zoos who currently own a pygmy hippo, and Zoos SA hope to involve Obi in a breeding program down the track.

Could Obi’s true love be Insta-famous Moo Deng?

“Long term plans for us do involve finding a female for him to breed with,” Ms Maurer said.

“We do take recommendations from Studbook Keeper (from the Australasian species management program) and things like that to make sure we are maintaining genetic diversity and following recommendations.”

Obi can be visited at Adelaide Zoo every day of the week. Picture: Adrian Mann

Adelaide Zoo is one of the only three Australian zoos who currently own a pygmy hippo. Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

While the rules and the 6,899km between Adelaide and Thailand may not be on their side there is no denying that both Moo Deng and Obi are a couple of cute pygmy hippos.

“It is good to get any publicity around that conservation messaging,” Ms Maurer said.

Originally published as Could Obi be Moo Deng’s perfect match? Meet Adelaide’s handsome pygmy hippo