Born on July 10, Moo Deng, whose name translates to "bouncing pig," a Thai meatball dish, catapulted into internet meme status when images of her shared by the zoo went viral in September.
One of Moo Deng's Singaporean fans, Mr Kishore Kalaichalvan, a 26-year-old who works in a think tank, says he fell in love with the pygmy hippo in September, when the zoo held a public poll to decide on her name.
"That's why I refer to her as the people's princess, since people who managed to take part in voting chose the name for her," he adds. "Also, her looking distressed all the time is very relatable."
For many users, her squealing and biting antics showed an adorable mixture of impotent rage and endearing helplessness, especially when hangry.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 29, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 29, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
GRANNY LIFTS THE BAR ON KEEPING FIT
Ms Cheng Chen Chin-mei beamed broadly as she hoisted a 35kg weightlifting bar to her waist, dropped it and waved confidently to the enthusiastic crowd in a competition in Taipei.
Youth rewrite social norms
It has always been the case that young people drive societal change.
Zoo pygmy hippo adored by internet
For users scrolling through TikTok, X and Instagram, one animal has emerged as the undisputed star of 2024: Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand.
Warabimochi gives snack lovers much to chew on
Singapore was mad for mochi in 2024, the craze sparked by the arrival in February of popular Japanese brand Warabimochi Kamakura.
Virtual Travel Tools Take Off
Virtual tools reshaped the travel landscape in 2024, driving innovation and transforming experiences for travellers worldwide.
X factor behind pop princesses' reign
From Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter to Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, women ruled the airwaves in 2024.
Ugly shoes stand out
In an era when fashion trends come and go faster than you can lace up your sneakers, one movement has proved its staying power: ugly shoes.
TikTok's very mindful, very demure influence
You see how TikTok continued to foster the exchange of ideas and philosophy between borders and cultures in 2024? Very mindful, very demure.
Quitting the F&B scene
La Dame de Pic, Tippling Club, Gemma, Art di Daniele Sperindio, Sushi Kimura, Beni, Chef Kang's, Sommer and Braci are all restaurants that fine-dining fans might recommend as must-visit places in Singapore.
Rising mercury shifts seasons
The year 2023 was recorded as the hottest in history, and 2024 is on track to surpass it.
