Baby Pygmy Hippo Moo Deng Doubles a Thailand Zoo's Visitors and Prompts Safety Warnings

Pygmy hippos are an endangered species, and there are less than 3,000 in the wild

Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo, has taken over the internet with her cuteness — but her fame has come with a cost.

The two-month-old pudgy hippopotamus has helped double the number of visitors to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province, Thailand, according to the BBC. Unfortunately, the rapid increase in interest has also increased incidents of people harassing the baby animal, leading the zoo to share warnings with guests.

According to the Thai PBS World news outlet, "Visitor numbers on Saturdays and Sundays are reported to have more than doubled, from 3,000 to 6,000 or 7,000 each day," at the zoo, with many guests heading to Moo Deng's enclosure.

Some visitors allegedly splashed water and threw shellfish at Moo Deng to wake her up. The zoo added CCTV cameras to the hippo's habitat to monitor visitors and keep the baby hippo safe.

"These behaviours are not only cruel but also dangerous," the zoo's director, Narongwit Chodchoi, said in a statement shared via BBC. "We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment."

The pygmy hippopotamus is endangered, with less than 3,000 in the wild.

There's no denying how much the public loves Moo Deng, whose name translates to "bouncy pig," according to the BBC. The zoo's Instagram page is full of content about the hippo. The park's gift shop also offers items paying homage to her, including a button-down shirt and pants ensemble.

When Moo Deng was born, the zoo posted, translated to English: "Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Moo Deng, a female pygmy hippopotamus born on Wednesday, July 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. 🤣🤣"

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Thai PBS World reports that zookeepers keep Moo Deng on a manageable schedule. She plays with zookeepers from 8-9 a.m. while her pen is cleaned. She then naps right after playtime is over. Her afternoon viewing session lasts an hour at 2 p.m., after which she takes another nap.

Fans online have called Moo Deng "a lifestyle icon" and "the most beautiful girl in the world."

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The zoo's social media followers have increased since debuting Moo Deng. The zoo's TikTok, khamoo.andthegang, has over 2.5 million followers as of publishing. The account showcases Moo Deng eating, showing off her tiny teeth that have recently come in, and getting sprayed by a hose.

If she's not all over your social media feed, it's only a matter of time.

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