CHONBURI, Thailand. In just two months, Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo, has captured hearts worldwide, becoming an internet sensation. With her expressive face and pink cheeks, the little hippo has become a viral star, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond, eager to glimpse her in person.
On Thursday, cars lined up outside the zoo long before opening hours, as fans gathered to see Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, in their enclosure. The zoo, located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Bangkok, has experienced a dramatic rise in visitors since Moo Deng’s debut. The pit where she lives was quickly packed with onlookers cooing as the playful two-month-old made her skittish movements.
Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee, who has worked at the zoo for eight years, has been sharing cute videos of the animals under his care for five years, but he never imagined that the newborn pygmy hippo would become an internet megastar within weeks. “It was beyond expectation,” Atthapon told The Associated Press. “I wanted people to know her and visit her, but I never thought it would turn into this.”
A Viral Sensation
Moo Deng’s fame exploded after videos of her, shared on social media, went viral. Zookeeper Atthapon’s clips captured Moo Deng’s charming antics, including her love for “deng”—the Thai word for bouncing. Whether she’s bouncing around, squirming while being washed, or peacefully resting as her cheeks are rubbed, Moo Deng has become a symbol of cuteness for fans around the globe.
Fans unable to visit the zoo in person can enjoy countless memes and videos online. Moo Deng has even inspired cartoons, cakes, and latte art. Social media accounts of major sports teams like FC Bayern, the Phoenix Suns, and the Washington Commanders have also featured her image in humorous and heartwarming posts. Thai beauty brand Sephora jumped on the trend, giving makeup advice to “wear your blush like a baby hippo,” referencing Moo Deng’s signature pink cheeks.
Businesses have also capitalized on her cuteness. The food delivery app Grab Thailand created imaginative posts featuring Moo Deng as a potential meal garnish. With her sudden global fame, the zoo is taking steps to copyright and trademark “Moo Deng the Hippo” to ensure the animal is not commercialized without authorization.
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi explained, “After we secure the rights, we can generate more income to support animal welfare and conservation efforts.” The zoo has also launched a line of Moo Deng merchandise, including shirts and pants, to be available by the end of the month.
A Surge in Visitors
The spike in visitors to Khao Kheow Open Zoo has been unprecedented. The zoo now limits access to Moo Deng’s enclosure during weekends to five-minute windows, as crowds have grown overwhelming. On weekdays, attendance has surged from around 800 to over 4,000 visitors, while weekends now draw more than 10,000 visitors.
Unfortunately, Moo Deng’s fame has also attracted some unruly visitors. Videos circulated online of people throwing objects or splashing water at the baby hippo in an attempt to wake her. In response, the zoo has posted warnings in Thai, English, and Chinese, cautioning visitors against disturbing her. Zoo officials have threatened legal action under Thailand’s animal protection laws against anyone caught mistreating the animal.
Despite these issues, Moo Deng’s global fanbase continues to grow. For those who can’t make the journey, the zoo plans to launch a 24-hour live stream of Moo Deng’s enclosure in the coming weeks, ensuring that fans worldwide can keep up with the adorable hippo’s daily life.
As Moo Deng continues to delight visitors both online and in person, she also serves as an ambassador for her species. Native to West Africa, the pygmy hippopotamus is an endangered species, with only around 2,000 to 3,000 remaining in the wild. Khao Kheow Open Zoo is part of a global effort to breed and protect endangered species like Moo Deng, ensuring that future generations can enjoy their charm and beauty.
Moo Deng’s story is more than just a viral sensation—it’s a reminder of the importance of conservation and the joy that animals bring into our lives.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
