Moo Deng, the pygmy hippopotamus, has become an internet sensation and is now being featured in cosmetic ads as a brand ambassador for Thailand. However, her newfound fame has led caretakers at Khao Kheow Open Zoo to urge visitors to show restraint and limit their visit hours. Moo Deng, also known as the “bouncing pig,” was named through a vote on the zoo’s facebook page by over 20,000 children and tourists. Videos of her daily activities, which include napping, walking around her enclosure, and playfully chewing on her caretakers’ knees during showers, have garnered widespread attention online.
Like any human celebrity, Moo Deng has numerous fan pages on social media dedicated to capturing every moment of her public appearances. The Thai Embassy in Tokyo even posted pictures of Moo Deng on X to invite Japanese visitors to the zoo. Sephora is promoting its blush products in Thailand by aiming for the same “pink & peachy tone” seen on Moo Deng’s cheeks. A bakery in Bangkok had to limit orders for its Moo Deng look-alike cakes due to high demand.
Moo Deng has also become a popular subject for internet memes and fan art. Videos featuring her caretaker playing with the hippo have gained millions of views on TikTok. However, concerns are growing for Moo Deng’s safety as some fans have thrown water and other objects at her. The zoo’s director has threatened legal action against such behavior.
To ensure the well-being of these endangered animals (there are only around 2,000 pygmy hippos left in the wild), visits to see Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo have been limited to Saturdays and Sundays with each viewing round lasting only five minutes. The director emphasized that it is crucial to protect these animals and provide them with a safe environment.
Pygmy hippos can live up to 50 years and reach half the height of full-size hippos while primarily consuming grasses, leaves, shoots, and fallen fruits in their natural habitat.
