51�Թ�

Robert Irwin is giving fans a peek at what’s usually unseen territory: The 21-year-old zookeeper is posing half-clad for an Australian underwear company that’s launching its line in the United States.

These moments, captured by her zookeeper at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, a two-hour drive south of Bangkok, and shared on social media, have turned her into a global phenomenon — an “It Girl” beloved for her sporadic fits of energy and proclivity for snapping toothlessly at hoses and knees.

While she was gestating in her mother’s womb, a 31-year-old zookeeper was hatching a plan to make her a star — tapping into a worldwide culture well-versed in capitalizing on internet virality — and save the financially strapped zoo while he was at it.

Anticipating the birth of Moo Deng, zookeeper Atthapon Nundee sensed an opportunity.

"He is such a lovely animal. He is unique. I've been a zookeeper for 15 years and there is no one else like him," he said.