Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has adopted Moo Deng, a five-month-old pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, with a donation of 10 million baht (approximately $300,000). This donation, made as a Christmas gift, will support the zoo's operations and fund upgrades for Moo Deng's habitat. The hippo has gained fame as an internet sensation, inspiring the creation of a Solana-based meme token, MOODENG, which is currently valued at $274 million and has appreciated by 1,685% from its lowest price. Buterin expressed his commitment to Moo Deng's well-being, stating he is happy to be her adoptive father as she grows over the next two years. The donation aligns with Buterin's broader engagement with wildlife conservation and the real-world impact of meme culture in the cryptocurrency space.