Meet the Baby Pygmy Hippo That’s Captured the Internet’s Heart

A baby pygmy hippopotamus in Thailand has become an internet sensation, enchanting millions with her undeniable charm. Since her birth on June 10 at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province, Moo Deng has also significantly increased zoo attendance, doubling visitor numbers since her arrival.

Moo Deng, whose name translates to “bouncy pork,” was welcomed into the world by her parents, Jona and Tony. She has two siblings known as Moo Tun, meaning “stewed pork,” and Moo Wan, meaning “sweet pork.” The adorable hippo has quickly captured the hearts of zoo-goers and online audiences alike.

The zoo celebrated Moo Deng’s debut with a lively announcement on social media, introducing the young hippo to the world. The post humorously noted, “My name is Moo Deng, a female pygmy hippopotamus born on Wednesday, June 10, 2024. My mother is Jonah, 25 years old, and my father is Tony, 24 years old. I’m currently single and 59 days old.”

The zoo has actively shared updates about Moo Deng on its Instagram and TikTok accounts, with the latter amassing over 2.6 million followers. Additionally, the zoo’s gift shop features a variety of merchandise celebrating the hippo, including clothing for fans to show their support.

However, as Moo Deng’s popularity has soared, it has brought some challenges. According to the Thai PBS World news outlet, visitor numbers during weekends have surged from around 3,000 to 6,000 or 7,000 people daily. This influx has led many visitors to her enclosure, eager to catch a glimpse of the adorable hippo.

Unfortunately, some of the attention has turned troubling. Reports have surfaced of individuals disturbing Moo Deng’s peace, with some attempting to wake her by splashing water or even throwing shellfish at her. In response, the zoo has taken steps to ensure the baby hippo’s safety by installing CCTV cameras around her habitat to keep a close watch on visitors.

“These behaviors are not only cruel but also dangerous,” remarked Narongwit Chodchoi, the zoo director. He emphasized the importance of creating a safe and comfortable environment for all animals and mentioned that the zoo might consider legal actions against those who do not respect these boundaries.

To mitigate further issues, the zoo has encouraged visitors to time their visits to coincide with Moo Deng’s active hours. Recently, they shared specific times on social media to inform guests: “Little #BouncingPig will wake up bouncing in the morning from 8 AM to 9 AM, especially when she gets showered, then go back to sleep before waking up bouncing again at 2 PM. You can come to see me.”

Pygmy hippos, native to western Africa, are classified as an endangered species, with only about 2,000 believed to remain in the wild, primarily inhabiting areas in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, according to the UK-based Pygmy Hippo Foundation.

Unlike their larger cousins, the common hippos, pygmy hippos are more adapted to living on land and tend to spend less time in the water. They are notably smaller, weighing between 400 to 600 pounds and standing about half the height of a common hippo. Their diet consists mainly of leaves, ferns, fruits, and roots, reflecting their herbivorous nature.