Earlier this month, a TikTok sensation made waves as viewers witnessed a woman fly all the way from the US to Thailand just to meet Moo Deng, the internet's most beloved pygmy hippopotamus. This charming little creature has captured hearts worldwide, drawing countless visitors to the zoo in Chonburi, Thailand.

But my encounter with Moo Deng took a different form. Instead of traveling thousands of miles from the UK to Thailand, I ventured to Hawaii to attend Qualcomm's Snapdragon summit. This event featured a plethora of technological advancements, including a showcase by Snap of their latest augmented reality (AR) spectacles, which have been recently making headlines.

Augmented reality continues to gain traction in consumer tech, with exciting products hitting the market. This year has already introduced major players like Apple's Vision Pro, which intricately blends real environments with digital visuals, alongside Snap’s innovative glasses and Meta's Orion Glasses. After the untimely end of early ventures like Google Glass, the renewed interest in wearable AR technology is being fueled by breakthroughs in chip tech and generative AI, making these gadgets more engaging than ever.

My virtual meeting with Moo Deng was undeniably entertaining. Armed with a special Snapchat lens, I was able to virtually interact with Moo Deng—lifting her up, petting her (adorable love heart emojis appeared in response!), and even adorning her with a stylish hat while feeding her imaginary lettuce. While it couldn’t replicate the tactile experience of meeting her in person, it provided a delightful way to connect without the risk of a hippopotamus bite!

This experience sparked an interesting thought: virtual interactions with rare animal species may pave the way for educational and conservation initiatives that don't require extensive travel. They create opportunities for people to connect with diverse wildlife in a safe, enjoyable manner, benefiting both the animals by reducing stress and the audiences by promoting awareness.

This enthusiasm for engaging with famous online animals is more common than it seems. Even pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo made headlines during her recent tour in Melbourne, Australia, for visiting the zoo to meet Pesto, the viral baby penguin. Her visit indicates that the fascination with internet-famous creatures spans beyond typical fan behavior.

Personally, I continually find myself captivated by video clips of rescued sea otter pups at Vancouver Aquarium, whom I plan to visit in a few months with my two-year-old niece. Her attempts to pet our cat through the screen demonstrate just how instinctual the desire is to connect with animals seen online, a phenomenon that resonates across ages and cultures.

The future of animal interaction is not just about in-person visits. With AR technology, we can redefine how we experience wildlife, making it more accessible and potentially more sustainable for our planet.