CHONBURI – Just a month after Thailand’s adorable baby hippo, Moo Deng, was introduced on Facebook, her popularity soared both nationally and internationally.
Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee has been sharing cute moments of the animals under his care for about five years. Little did he know that Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s latest addition, a pygmy hippo calf, would become a sensation in a matter of weeks.
The zoo witnessed a surge of visitors lining up outside well before opening hours. People traveled far and wide for a chance to catch a glimpse of the chubby and expressive 2-month-old hippo at the zoo located about 100 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. The enclosure where Moo Deng resides with her mother, Jona, was quickly filled, with visitors cooing and cheering each time the pink-cheeked baby hippo moved around playfully.
“It exceeded all expectations,” Atthapon shared with The Associated Press. “I wanted more people to know about her, visit her in person, watch her online, and leave exciting comments. I never imagined such a massive response.”
Affectionately named “Moo Deng,” which translates to “bouncy pork” in Thai, the name was selected by fans through a social media poll, aligning with her siblings’ names: Moo Toon (stewed pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork). Another common hippo at the zoo goes by Kha Moo (stewed pork leg).
Already, Moo Deng has become a meme sensation, with artists creating cartoons inspired by her. The social media platform X even featured her on its official account.
Seizing on her popularity, the zoo director, Narongwit Chodchoi, revealed plans to trademark “Moo Deng the hippo” to prevent unauthorized commercialization. This move aims to generate additional revenue to enhance the well-being of all animals in the zoo.
Proudly sitting on 800 hectares of land, the zoo houses over 2,000 animals and runs breeding programs for many endangered species, including pygmy hippos like Moo Deng. These hippos, native to West Africa, face threats from poaching and habitat loss, with only a few thousand remaining in the wild.
To support conservation efforts, the zoo plans to release Moo Deng-themed merchandise, starting with shirts and pants, followed by more products in the future.
Moo Deng’s infectious charm captivates fans, with her lively demeanor captured in Atthapon’s creative posts and videos. From her energetic bouncing to adorable interactions, she continues to win hearts online and at the zoo.
Despite Moo Deng’s growing popularity, the zoo had to impose restrictions on public access to her enclosure due to the high influx of visitors. Special 5-minute viewing windows were implemented during weekends to manage the crowds.
Threats to Moo Deng’s well-being arose when some visitors began disturbing her during her rest periods. However, strict measures were put in place, and the zoo vowed to protect the hippo from any harm, in line with animal welfare laws.
For fans unable to visit in person, a 24-hour live feed of Moo Deng will soon be available, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy her adorable antics round the clock.
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