Mars the Baby Pygmy Hippo Becomes a Global Star
In Kansas, a small but mighty new celebrity is making waves — literally. Mars, a stubborn and playful baby pygmy hippo, has captured the hearts of millions with his adorable antics and hilarious refusal to leave the water when it’s time for bed. Born at Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Mars has turned into an online sensation, with TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook videos showcasing his ear wiggles, dramatic “side flop” protests, and his love of lounging in the pool.
Fans have fallen head over heels for him, giving him nicknames like “the flying potato” and joking about how the staff sometimes need a wagon or a tow truck to move him from his favorite spot. One viral video alone has surpassed 6.5 million likes and been shared more than half a million times, with countless viewers cheering on his stubborn charm. People now travel from states as far as California and even from Canada just to catch a glimpse of Mars in person.
But while Mars delights online audiences with his baby hippo stubbornness, his fame carries a much larger purpose. Pygmy hippos are considered endangered, with fewer than 2,500 believed to remain in the wild. Tanganyika Wildlife Park is home to the only pygmy hippo breeding program in Kansas, and Mars’ rise to stardom has created a powerful opportunity to raise awareness about the need to protect his species. As Tanganyika’s marketing manager, Daniel Neale, explained, “Turning this exciting little guy that everyone finds so cute into something that makes an actionable difference for rare, endangered species — that’s what this is really about.”
Mars’ story almost didn’t happen. At first, Tanganyika’s content creator, Melissa Steven, struggled to capture engaging footage of him. Like many young calves, he spent most of his early days quietly sunbathing beside his mother, Posie. Then, one evening, his true personality appeared. When it was time to head inside, Mars refused to leave the pool, planting all forty pounds of baby hippo stubbornness in protest. Steven filmed the hilarious standoff, posted it online, and the rest is history — the world fell in love.
Since then, Mars has become more than just an internet darling. Major outlets like ABC News, TODAY, and USA Today have shared his story, cementing his place as an ambassador for his endangered species. At the park, encounters with Mars — including feeding sessions and even custom “nose print” art — are now fully booked. Soon, fans will even be able to purchase personalized Cameo-style videos featuring him.
Despite all the attention, Mars continues to do what he loves most: splashing, flopping, and refusing to leave the pool. His playful antics have sparked joy across the globe while also inspiring people to care more deeply about conservation. As one fan perfectly summed it up: “Isn’t it Mars-velous how a silly, stubborn baby hippo has the internet ablaze? I love watching him — and because of him, I’m learning about other animals too.”
Mars’ journey proves that sometimes the smallest creatures can make the biggest difference. With every splash and every ear wiggle, he is not just entertaining — he’s helping to bring awareness to the urgent need to protect endangered species.
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