Moo Deng, the baby hippo from Thailand, has taken the internet by storm, rapidly becoming an international sensation just a month after her introduction on Facebook.
Residing at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located about 100 km southeast of Bangkok, Moo Deng’s adorable antics have captivated audiences both in person and online. The two-month-old pygmy hippo’s fame has led to a surge in zoo visitors, with people coming from near and far to catch a glimpse of her pudgy, bouncy figure.
Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee, who has been sharing clips of the zoo’s animals for years, never anticipated the massive popularity Moo Deng would garner. Her fans are drawn not only by her playful movements but also by her name, which translates to “bouncy pork,” chosen by fans through a social media poll. This name complements her energetic personality, delighting visitors with her bounces and skittish behaviour.
Moo Deng has inspired fan art, memes, and even product tie-ins, from makeup tutorials to food delivery promotions. Her fame has gone international, with sports teams like FC Bayern and the New York Mets using her image in their posts. The zoo is now working to trademark Moo Deng’s image to protect her from unauthorised commercial use, with plans for official merchandise like shirts and pants to support zoo initiatives.
With Moo Deng’s growing stardom has come a rise in zoo traffic, drawing more than 10,000 visitors on weekends. However, her popularity has also led to some undesirable behaviour, with visitors attempting to wake her up by throwing objects or splashing water at her. The zoo has responded with warning signs and promises to take legal action if the mistreatment continues.
