If you’ve ever dreamed of naming a baby animal and winning a plushie, now’s your moment. Khao Kheow Open Zoo has welcomed three adorable new residents: baby capybaras, joining a family already world’s celebrity pygmy hippo, Moo Deng. With 21 members in total, the capybaras are loved for their chill vibes, photogenic expressions and meme potential.
Born on August 9 2025, to dad Siang and mum Pukpik, the triplets are healthy, lively and like most newborns, glued to their mother’s side. Dad, meanwhile, takes a more relaxed approach, letting mum take the lead. But there’s one thing missing: the names.
To fix that, the zoo has launched a public vote, inviting everyone to help pick the perfect handles for the three pups. There are 10 themed name sets on the ballot, ranging from pop-culture references to food-inspired fun:
- Jane – Nun – Bow (Thai girl group members)
- Cullen – Dan – Jung (Thailand-based Korean YouTubers)
- Mum – Teng – Nhong (famous Thai comedians)
- Tic – Tac – Toe (the game)
- Ranong – Rayong – Yala (Thai tongue twister)
- King – Kong – Kaew (a traditional Thai play)
- Cocoa – Mocca – Latte (a coffee order)
- Kaopun – Sushi – Mochi (rice ball and Japanese snack squad)
- Namphueng – Namcha – Namkhaeng (honey, tea, ice)
- Som – Apple – Cherry (orange and other fruits)
Thailand has a soft spot for democratic animal naming. Fans may remember that Moo Deng was also named by public vote. Capybaras themselves have already earned global fame online for their calm, friendly demeanour, often seen chilling with ducks, cats or crocodiles on viral TikToks. This new trio is now ready to join that elite, meme-ready roster.
Beyond the cute factor, these naming contests connect city dwellers with wildlife, helping raise awareness for species and their natural habitats. While capybaras aren’t endangered, their South American wetland homes are under threat and every bit of public interest helps build a conservation-minded audience.
Voting is open until August 31 at 4.30pm via Google Form. As a sweet bonus, three lucky voters will score the zoo’s official capybara plush doll, Kapiplara. The winning names and plushie winners will be revealed on September 12 via the zoo’s Facebook page.
So, coffee trio? Comedian gang? Fruit basket? You decide and maybe score a reward while you’re at it.