Move over, Moo Deng. Cute little pygmy hippo in Arizona needs a name

A baby pygmy hippopotamus born in metro Phoenix a few weeks ago could compete for cuteness with the Thai zoo pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng, who went viral in 2024.

The baby pygmy hippo was born at the end of January at the Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park in Litchfield Park to mom Lollipop and dad Tootsie Roll, according to a statement from the west Valley attraction, located at Northern and Sarival avenues.

The calf still needs a name, and zoo visitors through Feb. 22 can choose a moniker by voting via a QR code posted in front of the pygmy hippo exhibit.

Following the candy theme of her parents’ names, the choices are Cadbury, Twixi, Jellybean and Taffy. The winning name will be announced when voting concludes, the Wildlife World Zoo said.

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“This rare and important birth marks another milestone for the zoo’s ongoing commitment to conservation and the care of threatened species,” a statement from the zoo read.

“Guests can see the little hippo spending her days exploring the waters of the pygmy hippo habitat, learning to navigate the world under the watchful eyes of both her mom and our animal care team.”

An estimated 2,000 pygmy hippos are alive in the world. They are native to West Africa and cousins to hippopotamuses, but half as tall and less than a quarter of the weight, according to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation.

This latest pygmy hippo addition to the Wildlife World Zoo makes a total of three of the endangered species there. Tootsie has been at the Wildlife World Zoo since January 2020, and Lollipop appears to have joined the zoo in the fall of 2024, according to previous reporting by The Arizona Republic.

Most people likely became familiar with pygmy hippos after Moo Deng was born in July 2024 at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. The rambunctious female calf caught international attention on social media for her precocious antics, including taking a toothless bite of her handler.

Reporting by Jose R. Gonzalez, Arizona Republic. Republic reporter Lauren De Young contributed to this article.