Letters | Moo Deng the pygmy hippo deserves better than lifetime of captivity

Readers discuss the treatment of social media star Moo Deng, the importance of involving children in community decision-making and a proposal for a uniquely Hong Kong theme park

Reading Time:4 minutes

Visitors to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, take photos of Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus that has become a social media sensation, on September 26. The zoo has launched a 24-hour live stream to serve her fans worldwide Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:30am, 13 Oct 2024

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at [email protected] or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification

I refer to the article, “Thailand zoo defends viral baby hippo Moo Deng against Peta’s captivity claims” (October 2).

Remember baby polar bear Knut? Not that long ago, the orphaned white ball of fluff captured the attention of the world. But the distressed cub had a convulsion, collapsed and died as visitors watched. Even as he died, he was on display and exploited for profit.

Now pygmy hippo Moo Deng has captured hearts, but like Knut, she will spend every day of her life behind bars. She is besieged by onlookers who throw objects to draw her attention and she seems to be constantly harassed by those who are trying to get content for social media posts.

Keeping Moo Deng in captivity does nothing to bolster the imperilled populations of pygmy hippos in the wild. Placing captive-bred animals in their species’ natural homes can be difficult and costly. Many programmes to reintroduce captive-bred animals to the wild have failed.

Zoos don’t breed animals with the intent of replenishing threatened populations. Baby animals such as Moo Deng entice paying visitors through the zoo’s gates.