
Today’s the big day—the U.S. election is happening right now, and it’s a nail-biter! The polls are showing a close race. There’s a new “predictor” in town. This one is making waves not in Washington, but in Thailand. Meet Moo Deng, the baby hippo with a knack for election predictions.

Moo Deng, only four months old, has become an unexpected superstar in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. How did he get this important job, you ask? Well, Moo Deng was presented with two plates of fruit, each carved with the name of a U.S. presidential candidate. One plate had Kamala Harris’s name, and the other had Donald Trump’s. And Moo Deng? He went straight for the plate with Trump’s name on it.
Since that moment, Moo Deng has exploded into viral stardom. He’s the talk of social media, with countless memes and even commercials featuring his “prediction.” As a result, Moo Deng has gone from a zoo attraction to a full-blown internet celebrity. His fame is now reaching all the way to the U.S., where comedian Bowen Yang even impersonated him on Saturday Night Live.

Friday, October 6, 2017.
(Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead)
But does Moo Deng really know something we don’t? Can a baby hippo predict the future? While it’s all in good fun, many animals have gained worldwide attention for predicting major events. Moo Deng is hardly the first. Think of Paul the Octopus, who correctly guessed the outcomes of World Cup matches in 2010. If Moo Deng’s prediction is as accurate as Paul’s, then maybe we should pay attention!
So, is Moo Deng’s prediction right? We’ll find out soon enough. Moo Deng’s political insight might be spot on or not. One thing’s for sure: he’s become a beloved, quirky figure in the world of memes and politics.