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Small zoo experiences “bouncy pork” bonanza with baby hippo Moo Deng
Chonburi, Thailand — Just a month after the birth of a baby hippo named Moo Deng, the adorable creature has captured the hearts of many, both locally and internationally. Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee, who has been sharing delightful moments from the Khao Kheow Open Zoo on social media for five years, never anticipated that this newborn pygmy hippo would quickly rise to fame.
On Thursday, people began to line up in droves outside the zoo even before its official opening. Visitors came from all around to have a chance to see the charming, two-month-old Moo Deng, who lives with her mother, Jona, at a zoo located approximately 60 miles southeast of Bangkok. The viewing area for the duo filled up rapidly, with onlookers erupting in excitement every time the small, rosy-cheeked hippo made her endearing, timid movements.
“The response has been beyond my expectations,” Atthapon remarked, speaking to The Associated Press. “I wanted to share her with the world, to have people come and see her or watch her online and leave fun comments. I never imagined this level of interest.”
Moo Deng’s name, which translates to “bouncy pork” in Thai, was chosen through a social media poll. The name fits well with those of her siblings: Moo Toon (stewed pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork). The zoo even has a common hippo named Kha Moo (stewed pork leg).
Moo Deng’s viral fame has led to her being transformed into memes and inspired artists to produce cartoons featuring her. Social media platform X has even highlighted her in its official posts.
In response to her rising popularity, the zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoi, announced steps to patent and trademark “Moo Deng the hippo” to safeguard her image from unwanted commercialization. “Once this is accomplished, we will generate additional income to enhance and improve the lives of our animals,” he noted. “Any benefits gained will directly support animal welfare here at the zoo.”
Khao Kheow Open Zoo spans nearly 2,000 acres and houses over 2,000 animals, running breeding programs for various endangered species, including the pygmy hippopotamus. This unique creature, native to West Africa, faces threats from poaching and habitat destruction, with only 2,000 to 3,000 remaining in the wild.
To further fund initiatives surrounding Moo Deng’s fame, the zoo plans to sell merchandise, including shirts and pants featuring the delightful hippo, with more products anticipated to follow.
Aside from her captivating appearance, Moo Deng’s name complements her lively and mischievous nature, which Atthapon’s creative videos and captions effectively showcase. Aptly named, Moo Deng enjoys bouncing, and Atthapon has posted numerous videos of her energetically leaping about. Even when she is at rest, her charm shines through—playing while he attempts to wash her, playfully nipping at him, or peacefully closing her eyes during a cheek rub.
Atthapon, who has dedicated eight years to caring for hippos, acknowledged that baby hippos typically exhibit more playful behavior but become calmer as they grow older. Since Moo Deng’s rise to fame, the zoo has witnessed a surge in visitors, prompting them to limit access to the baby’s enclosure to five-minute intervals during weekends.
According to Narongwit, weekday attendance has soared to over 4,000 visitors, a significant increase from the previous count of around 800, while weekend numbers have surged to more than 10,000 from approximately 3,000.
However, with the increase in visitors, there have also been some concerning incidents. Moo Deng typically spends only about two hours a day awake and full of energy. Disturbingly, some videos surfaced showing visitors splashing water or throwing objects at the sleeping hippo in attempts to rouse her. In response, a clear sign now advises visitors against throwing anything at Moo Deng, displayed in Thai, English, and Chinese at the enclosure.
In light of these incidents, the zoo is prepared to take action under animal protection laws if any mistreatment occurs. Following the backlash from online clips demonstrating inappropriate behavior, they have not reported further cases of such actions.
For dedicated fans unable to visit in person, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo plans to set up cameras to initiate a 24-hour live feed of Moo Deng in the coming days, allowing everyone to enjoy her cuteness from afar.
Source: CBS News
