2 adorable pygmy hippos pitted against each other in cuteness contest

The Edinburgh Zoo has launched a cuteness title betwixt Haggis, its newborn pygmy hippo, and Moo Deng, nan adorable mini hippopotamus that became a viral sensation astatine a Thailand zoo this summer

LONDON -- The Edinburgh Zoo launched a cuteness title betwixt Haggis, its newborn pygmy hippo, and Moo Deng, nan adorable mini hippopotamus that became a viral sensation astatine a Thailand zoo this summer.

“Moo Deng? Who deng?” nan Scottish zoo playfully posted Monday connected nan societal media level X arsenic it introduced its babe hippo to nan world.

The smack talk pitted 2 critters pinch much successful communal than conscionable being females calves of nan aforesaid endangered species. They’re besides named for nutrient products that don’t typically transportation tiny connotations.

Haggis, nan nationalist crockery of Scotland that is butt of galore jokes, is made successful a sheep’s tummy filled pinch spiced and diced innards. Moo deng is simply a type of meatball that intends “bouncy pork” successful Thai.

Moo Deng, a pudgy, pink-cheeked pygmy hippo, quickly became a societal media prima astir 2 months aft being calved astatine Khao Kheow Open Zoo successful July. Videos of her went viral and she was nan root of endless memes.

The Thai zoo planned to copyright and trademark nan hippo's sanction and capitalize connected its fame by making shirts, pants and different merchandise to support its operations.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is besides looking to rate successful connected its prize pygmy pinch a drafting promising nan victor a “unique pygmy hippo experience” to meet Haggis and her parents, Gloria and Otto. Tickets are 5 British pounds ($6.50) and nan zoo had raised much than half its 15,000 lb ($19,500) target successful a day.

“Prepare to autumn successful emotion pinch wee Haggis,” nan zoo said. “With her playful nature, Haggis will show you why nan world has fallen successful emotion pinch pygmy hippos!”

There are only an estimated 2,500 pygmy hippopotamuses successful nan chaotic successful West Africa, wherever it is threatened by poaching and nonaccomplishment of habitat.

Edinburgh Zoo visitors won't instantly beryllium capable to spot Haggis, who was calved Oct. 30, because nan hippo location will beryllium closed during nan first period of her development.

After utilizing Moo Deng’s fame to tie attraction to Haggis, nan zoo apologized for creating a rivalry.

“We were incorrect to pit Haggis and Moo Deng against each other," nan zoo said successful a later post. “There is abstraction successful this world for 2 beautiful pygmy hippo divas and we should observe them all."