 "Moo Deng is an endearing pygmy hippo born on June 10 to parents Jona and Tony at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand’s Chonburi. Image Courtesy: @twaniimals/X")
A two-month-old baby pygmy hippo from Thailand has been trending on social media lately.
The adorable hippo, aptly named Moo Deng, has amassed millions of views.
However, as they say, everything comes with a price.
The baby pygmy hippo has been tormented by tourists, prompting the zoo authorities to strengthen security measures around her enclosure.
The celebrity baby hippo in Thailand
Moo Deng was born on June 10 to parents Jona and Tony at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand’s Chonburi, according to The Independent.
Her name, which means “bouncy pig,” was decided upon through a zoo poll.
She has two siblings: Moo Wan, which is sweet pork, and Moo Tun, which is stewed pork.
The public was initially introduced to Moo Deng on July 25.
“The moment I saw Moo-Deng born, I set a goal to make her famous, but I never expected it would spread abroad. I thought she could be famous in Thailand but not internationally,” 31-year-old zookeeper Atthapon Nundee told The Guardian.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsHer increasing popularity
During the pandemic, Nundee started posting videos of every animal under his care to social media, as per Hindustan Times.
Fans of the cute hippo on social media can’t get enough of her going about her day, whether she’s being sprayed with water, being carried by zookeepers, flashing her new teeth, or just lazing around in her enclosure.
According to Thai PBS, Moo Deng’s fame has led to a sharp increase in zoo attendance, with between 6,000 and 7,000 people visiting on weekends.
Time magazine has referred to Moo Deng as a “legend” and “the moment.”
The baby hippo has inspired beauty trends from Sephora, fanart, and zoo products. The makeup company told social media followers to “wear your blush like a baby hippo.”
A cake named “too cute to eat” was made in her honour by the well-known Vetmon Cafe in Bangkok, The Independent reported.
Reports of harassment
However, Moo Deng has had to deal with irrationally eager visitors.
Concerns have been raised by reports of visitors throwing food and disrupting her attention.
Videos of some visitors to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo hurling items at Moo-Deng to catch her attention have appeared online.
In a social media video, Moo Deng is shown dozing in her enclosure when one of the visitors pour water on her.
In an attempt to catch her attention, other guests have thrown her shellfish and bananas.
Zoo’s response
In a statement posted on Thursday, the director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Narongwit Chodchoi, asked guests to refrain from making loud noises or throwing objects at her.
As reported by the Bangkok Post, he issued a warning, threatening legal action from the zoo against misbehaving visitors.
“These behaviours are not only cruel but also dangerous,” he said. “We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment.”
He also mentioned that an officer had been assigned to watch over her and that the zoo had placed security cameras in the area.
Moo Deng’s instance demonstrates the fine line between public obsession and the well-being of animals in their enclosures.
About the species
Pygmy hippos are listed as an endangered species.
There were reportedly less than 3,000 in the wild in 1991, according to Hindustan Times, which cited a study.
Although they are native to West Africa, habitat loss brought on by human activity is a threat to them.
Atthapon stated, “I hope that Moo-Deng’s cuteness will raise awareness for people to come and learn about (the species).”
Meanwhile, one of the most severely endangered species in the world, the Javan rhinoceros, had reason to celebrate with the birth of a baby.
The birth was reported by the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry along with a video that was taken in May in Java’s westernmost point, Ujung Kulon National Park, as per The Independent. The video displayed Iris, the young calf, strolling alongside her mother.
The International Rhino Foundation estimates that there are just 80 Javan rhinoceroses remaining in the world, all of which are found in Indonesia.
With inputs from agencies