Adorable Video of Zookeeper 'Booping' Animals on the Nose Viewed 16M Times
A viral video of a zookeeper "booping" animals on the nose has been viewed more than 16 million times on TikTok.
The clip was posted by Will Whisennand—who runs the account @wildlifewill95—on August 21. Since then it has garnered more than 2.9 million likes.
Whisennand shot the video at Houston Interactive Aquarium & Animal Preserve in Texas, which is home to marine animals, reptiles, birds, mammals, and more.
At the start of the video, Whisennand says: "Let's go boop some animals," while holding and kissing an otter.
"Boop" is a slang term that refers to the tapping of a person or cute animal's nose in an affectionate way.
Whisennand then proceeds to "boop" several animals, including Drogo, an Asian water monitor; Ketchup, a red ruffed lemur; Bonnie, an Asian small-clawed otter; Spyro, the bearded dragon; Callie, a mini Rex rabbit; and Starburst, a keel-billed toucan.
The animals in the video appear to be bemused about what is happening to them. Starburst the toucan can even be seen trying to gently gnaw Whisennand's finger in response.
Several TikTok users commented that Spyro did not appear to appreciate the "boop" very much.
"I feel like I could hear Spyro say "EXCUSE you??" one user wrote in a comment.
In another comment, one user asked: "What does one have to do to get your job?"
In response, Whisennand said: "Anyone can become a zookeeper! All it takes is passion and dedication. Smaller facilities often have less requirements for education/experience."
The zookeeper posts regular videos of himself interacting with the animals at the attraction. He also operates the aquarium and animal preserve's official TikTok account, where he posts daily content.
@wildlifewill95 Let’s go boop some animals! Follow @htx_interactive_aquarium where I post daily content! 🦦 #zookeeper #houston #aquarium #otter #lemur #zoo #boop
♬ _Cute - Gabe Lost
The video can also be seen here.
According to its official website, the zoo allows visitors to interact with hundreds of different animals.
For example, visitors can hand-feed sharks, rays, birds and fish, as well as hold snakes and lizards. The attraction also provides educational programs and events for kids.
In addition to the animals mentioned above, the facility is home to iguanas, American alligators, opossums, two-toed sloths, porcupines and macaws.
Of the animal species featured in the TikTok video, the red ruffed lemur is perhaps the most significant from a conversation standpoint. The species, which is native to Madagascar like all lemurs, is listed as "Critically Endangered" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List.
Studies have shown that the wild population is declining as the lemurs face threats from habitat destruction, hunting, cyclones, hunting, and the illegal pet trade.
