A baby hippo is creating quite a stir in Thailand. Named Moo Deng, meaning “bouncy pig,” the two-month-old female pygmy hippo has gone viral, drawing crowds to Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Pattaya. Visitor numbers have doubled since her birth in July, according to the zoo.
However, the zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoi, has cautioned visitors to behave properly after videos surfaced showing some people mistreating Moo Deng. “These behaviours are not only cruel but also dangerous,” he said in an online statement. “We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment.”
Some visitors have been seen throwing shellfish and splashing water on Moo Deng in an attempt to wake her up. In response, the zoo has installed CCTV cameras around her enclosure and warned that legal action could be taken against those who mistreat the baby hippo.
Pygmy hippos, native to West Africa, are classified as “endangered” by the IUCN, with fewer than 3,000 believed to be left in the wild. Moo Deng’s adorable small size and pudgy appearance have won her many fans online. One user on X said, “I’m obsessed with Moo Deng – I’ve been thinking about this queen all day long,” while another added, “I don’t know anything else going on in the world right now except for Moo Deng.”
The zoo, located about 100km southeast of Bangkok, has embraced Moo Deng’s celebrity status. Since her birth, 128 out of 150 of the zoo’s social media posts have been about her. The zoo has also launched a range of hippo-themed merchandise, including a shirt and trouser set inspired by Moo Deng, available for purchase both at the zoo and online.
Other brands have also been trying to cash in. Beauty retail Sephora had earlier put out an advertisement with a line of Moo Deng-inspired blushes, which allows customers to “wear your blush like a baby hippo.”
One “Soft Pop Powder Blush” will set you back THB 1,590 ($47.70; £36.30).
