Thailand zoo defends viral baby hippo Moo Deng against Peta’s captivity claims

The zoo defended its care for Moo Deng, arguing the baby hippo receives the best possible care and is part of a conservation programme

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Moo Deng, a female baby pygmy hippo, became a Thai zoo’s starlet and global online celebrity after a zookeeper posted videos of her on social media. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:41pm, 2 Oct 2024

Thailand has dismissed as outdated, animal rights group Peta’s accusations that an internet-famous female baby pygmy hippo “faces a lifetime of confinement” at a local zoo cashing in on the mammal’s stardom.

Visitors from around the globe have flocked to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province to see the adorable two-month-old hippo Moo Deng (“bouncy pork” in Thai), whose cute videos went viral on TikTok and Instagram.

Moo Deng’s online celebrity status has spawned memes, souvenirs and footwear. The hippo’s popularity also led to a surge in the zoo’s income from ticket sales, reaching about 19.2 million baht (US$587,000) between September 1 and 25.

To avoid overcrowding at her enclosure, the zoo has limited Moo Deng’s viewing time to five minutes per visitor and launched a 24-hour live stream for fans worldwide.

The popularity of Moo Deng resulted in a 50 per cent increase in visitors at Khao Kheow Open Zoo between September 1-19. Photo: EPA-EFE

A local company introduced Moo Deng-inspired flip-flops priced at 199 baht per pair, claiming they “make you bounce when you wear them”.