Moo Deng the baby hippo's unexpected appearance in a US voting campaign sparks memes

[Garth Gator]

To say that Moo Deng the baby pygmy hippo has made a splash beyond her watery habitat in Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo would be an understatement. This adorable ball of sass, whose name means bouncy pork, has captured the internet’s hearts with her attitude and permanently moisturized look. Moo Deng isn’t just the subject of countless memes, she’s also become a makeup trend and even landed a spot on Saturday Night Live.

 

Now, the image of the nearly three-month-old hippo is unexpectedly popping up in a new campaign aimed at encouraging voter participation in Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Communications community created a cartoon graphic featuring the adorable hippo showing off how to cast a ballot.

 

 

Considering that Moo Deng isn’t American and is a minor—she was born in July this year, making her to young to cast a ballot—fans have cried “voter fraud.”

 

 

Moo Deng is from Thailand and ineligible to vote in the US

— Volguus Zildrohar (@wizard_hat2) October 4, 2024

 

 

 

Foreign hippos are rigging our elections

— Tyler (@Tyler_The_Wise) October 5, 2024

 

 

 

moo deng cannot vote she is from thailand https://t.co/eYMDBIZwas

— haunted boy daughter (@mollywidstrom) October 5, 2024

 

 

One commentor describes the hippo as “ungovernable,” pointing to Moo Deng’s defiant spirit.

 

 

Election Interference from Moo Deng. Not only is Moo Deng not a citizen of The United States, she is not old enough to vote.

— The Questbro (@TheQuestBro) October 5, 2024

 

 

 

Shut the fuck up and leave Moo Deng out of this. Moo Deng is ungovernable.

— Mother Girth (@fairygirthmther) October 5, 2024

 

 

 

If only we could vote for Moo Deng, too

— Jeff (@hoppgroundkid) October 4, 2024

 

 

Similarly, nonprofit organization PA Stands Up has also jumped on the Moo Deng train, posing as the tiny hippo and posting memes reminding voters to do their part.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by PA Stands Up (@pa_stands_up)

 

 

While Moo Deng’s zoo remains blissfully unaware of her American political debut, it’s been hard at work to protect her newfound fame. Khao Kheow Open Zoo has begun trademarking “Moo Deng the Hippo” to prevent unauthorized use of her likeness, ensuring that any profits from her stardom benefit the zoo’s conservation efforts and its animals.

 

• https://x.com/VOTEdotPA/status/1842189854257598741

 

Image: vote.pa