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LOS ANGELES - In an unusual twist to election predictions, Thailand’s viral baby hippo, Moo Deng, has "predicted" a win for Donald Trump in the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province set up a playful scene on Monday, inviting Moo Deng to choose between two watermelons, each carved with the name of a candidate—Trump and his opponent, Kamala Harris.
The baby hippo’s choice to munch on the watermelon marked with Trump’s name quickly went viral after a video of the event was shared on the New York Post’s Twitter account, sparking amusement and surprise online.
Moo Deng: Thailand’s social media sensation
Since her debut, Moo Deng has become an internet phenomenon. Her name, meaning "bouncy pork" in Thai, was chosen by fans through a social media poll.
Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee regularly shares adorable clips of her energetic antics, which have circulated widely on social media. Her popularity has led to a surge in zoo visitors, with thousands flocking to catch a glimpse of the tiny hippo.
The influx of Moo Deng fans has driven Khao Kheow Open Zoo's weekday attendance from around 800 visitors to over 4,000. On weekends, attendance has surged from 3,000 to more than 10,000, creating crowd control challenges as fans line up to see the tiny hippo.