The Hip and Illustrious Moo-Deng
She stomps, she bites, and she’s got attitude. Moo-Deng, the baby Pygmy hippo, has captivated the internet. Adored for her antics in her pit, Moo-Deng — which translates to bouncy pork in Thai — has seen thousands of new visitors clamoring to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
Moo-Deng was born in early June of this year at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in the Chonburi province of Thailand, making her the seventh Pygmy hippo born at the zoo. Shortly after Moo-Deng was unveiled to the public, a poll was run on X by her zookeeper, Auttapon Nundee, to pick her name; the public overwhelmingly voted to call her Moo-Deng.
Just like the dearly departed Grumpy Cat and Doge, the bouncy pork has been featured in various memes since her unveiling.
“Legends never die, they just change form.”#MOODENG 🦛 pic.twitter.com/Z5hrx81LqW
— 𝐙 𝐄 𝐔 𝐒 ⚡️ (@BoredApeZEUS) November 8, 2024
Since her birth, the number of visitors has multiplied well beyond the zoo's capacity. Her sudden rise to fame has overwhelmed the park, with cars lining up at its entrance, and visitors coming from across the globe to see the pudgy hippo. Nundee said in an interview, “The number of tourists visiting the zoo has increased dramatically. On regular weekdays, attendance has risen from a few hundred to 4,000–5,000, and on weekends, it has doubled from 5,000 to over 10,000.” With the influx of new visitors, the zoo is sure to have dramatically increased its revenue, with ticket prices sitting at 350 Baht (roughly 9 euros) for adults.
The zoo has put forward a plan to trademark the name Moo-Deng, in a gambit to prevent outside businesses from profiting off of her. It hopes this new source of income will enhance the lives of all of the roughly 2000 animals living at the zoo.
Moo-Deng’s fame hasn’t come without its challenges though: visitors have been seen throwing food and water into her pit in an attempt to spark a reaction from her. The director of the zoo, Narongwit Chodchoi, has condemned these acts and threatened legal action against the perpetrators and those who continue disrupting Moo-Deng’s environment. In his statement, Chodchoi said, “These behaviors are not only cruel but also dangerous … We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment.”
There have been calls from the conservation group PETA to release Moo-Deng and her family, stating, “Animals do not exist for our entertainment. Breeding them for public display perpetuates their suffering.” PETA followed the statement with an open line to assist the zoo in “facilitating the transfer of animals to sanctuaries.”
Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa, living in forested areas near rivers, leaving Moo-Deng quite far from home. They are typically nocturnal animals too, meaning the zoo’s daytime visiting hours often disrupt Moo-Deng’s natural sleep patterns. Pygmy hippos are slowly vanishing, as their environment is continuously being destroyed — especially on the Ivory Coast — mostly because of the establishment of palm oil, cocoa, and rubber farms.
There are less than 3000 pygmy hippos left in the wild today; they have been classified as Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Conservation efforts have been active in many zoos around the world in an attempt to bolster the population of the hippos. Breeding programs have been active in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, as well as the London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo.
While the baby pygmy hippo’s internet fame has brought joy to millions worldwide, it also serves as a reminder of the fragile state of her species. As zoos and conservation groups continue their efforts to preserve Moo-Deng’s species, it’s essential for the public to understand their own role in protecting the natural world and the animals who live in it.
@junkee when the world needed her the most, moo deng appeared thanks to @ขาหมู แอนด์เดอะแก๊ง 🦛🪽☁️✨ #moodeng #hippo #babyhippo #pygmyhippo #thailand #itgirl #celebrity ♬ Good Graces - Sabrina Carpenter
