Baby beaver's 'cheering' pose melts hearts online

An adorable baby beaver born at Himeji Central Park in Japan has become an internet sensation, charming over 1.6 million people with a gesture that appears to be a fist pump or a cheer. The twin beaver cubs, born in late April, are the first new arrivals for the park's beaver family in 34 years.

A visitor recently captured a heartwarming moment when one of the cubs was being held by a keeper for a weigh-in. The cub instinctively raised its right front paw in a pose that onlookers interpreted as a gesture of encouragement or a cheer. This delightful image quickly spread across social media platforms.

The viral photo has sparked widespread delight, with many netizens drawing parallels to the ongoing 2026 World Cup, suggesting the beaver cub might be cheering for the Japanese team, the "Blue Samurai." Comments flooded in, calling the cub "cute to death" and comparing it to Mario. The hashtag #姫セン, referring to the park, has been trending, showcasing the immense popularity of the tiny animal.