A two-month-old pygmy hippo named Moo-Deng has become an internet sensation in Thailand and beyond, thanks to viral videos showing her wobbling around her enclosure, playfully nibbling her zookeeper, and being sprayed with water. The adorable calf has captured hearts across Asia, inspiring fan-made cakes, artwork, and even cosmetics inspired by her rosy cheeks and bright eyes. A cosmetics chain jumped on the trend, promoting blush products with the tagline, "wear your blush like a baby hippo." In a nod to her rising fame, Time magazine dubbed her an “Icon” and “Legend,” declaring that “She Is the Moment.”
Moo-Deng’s popularity is largely due to a TikTok account with 2.5 million followers dedicated to the animals at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. Tourists and zookeepers alike share videos of her, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Atthapon Nundee, a 31-year-old zookeeper, started posting videos of the zoo’s animals during the pandemic and never anticipated that Moo-Deng, whose name translates to "bouncy pork," would achieve global fame. Her bouncy demeanor and playful personality have made her an online star.
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Moo-Deng's fame has brought an influx of visitors to the zoo, raising concerns about her welfare. Some tourists have been accused of disturbing the young hippo by throwing water and objects to wake her for photos. In response, the zoo installed CCTV and stationed an officer to ensure her protection.
Though still a baby, Moo-Deng weighs over 20 kilograms and primarily feeds on her mother’s milk. She is expected to start eating grass next month. Like adult pygmy hippos, she spends much of her day sleeping and soaking in water to stay cool.
Pygmy hippos are endangered, with only an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 left in the wild, primarily in West Africa. Habitat loss due to human activities poses a significant threat to the species. While some conservationists, like Edwin Wiek of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, believe pygmy hippos should be left in the wild, Atthapon emphasized that zoos play a role in conservation and education.
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