Moo Deng is a two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus living in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. The institution's authorities announced that from now on, visits to Moo Deng will take place only on Saturdays and Sundays. This is due to her record-breaking popularity. The zoo's director calls the behavior of many people who come to see the hippopotamus “cruel and dangerous.” He threatened to take legal action.
At just two months old, she’s already experiencing the dark side of her internet career. Moo Deng is a young pygmy hippopotamus living at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province, Thailand. Moo Deng has become the subject of memes, drawings, and videos thanks to viral photos on the internet.
Moo Deng is also known as “the bouncing pig,” and her name was chosen based on a vote by more than 20,000 children and adults on the Facebook page of the zoo where she was born. When her caretakers began sharing videos of Moo Deng bathing and doing other things, internet users fell in love with her in a heartbeat. The hippo's videos have more than 30 million views and more than two million likes.
Fans, merch and their own cosmetics
Moo Deng has become an ambassador for many brands, including: new series of cosmetics inspired by its coat. The shine of the hippopotamus's skin encourages fashionistas to recreate the animal's characteristic features on their own faces, nails, and even clothes.
Moo Deng's popularity has attracted many visitors to the Thai zoo. Fans of the two-month-old celebrity have flocked to see the pygmy hippopotamus' daily life up close, taking photos and recording videos.
The Dark Side of Moo Deng's Popularity
Moo Deng's fame has a dark side. During visits, visitors have thrown objects at the hippopotamus or tried to pour water on her. The zoo management has threatened to take legal action. The authorities have also announced that from now on, visits to Moo Deng will take place only on Saturdays and Sundays, and each visit will be limited to just five minutes. For the comfort and safety of the baby and her mother, this decision was necessary.
“Such behavior is cruel and dangerous,” said Narongwit Chodchoi, the zoo's director. “We must provide the animals with a safe and comfortable environment at all costs.”
Moo Deng is the subject of 24/7 live broadcasts that can be viewed on the zoo's website. Thanks to the footage from the cameras, we can observe not only the daily life of the hippopotamus and her mother, but also of her other relatives (and other species of animals living in the zoo) without disturbing them.
Pygmy hippos in the wild
Pygmy hippos are an endangered and protected species. It is estimated that there are only 2,000 individuals left in the wild, according to Pygmy Hippo Foundation. Pygmy hippos are half the size of the common hippopotamus and weigh only a quarter of their larger relative. This species of hippopotamus can live up to 50 years and feeds mainly on grass, leaves and fruit.
When visiting any zoo, we must bear in mind that our presence is already enough stress for the animals living there. So let's remember to respect their peace and not pose a threat to them, and above all, follow the rules in force in zoos.
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Main image source: https://x.com/moodengx