Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo has seen a massive surge in popularity thanks to Moo Deng, a two-month-old pygmy hippo whose fame skyrocketed after being introduced on social media, the Associated Press reports.
Just a month after zookeeper Atthapon Nundee posted the first adorable videos of Moo Deng, the baby hippo became a sensation both domestically and internationally.
Visitors have flocked to the zoo, located about 100 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the pudgy, playful hippo. Cars lined up early Thursday, and crowds gathered around Moo Deng’s enclosure, cheering at her every move. The zoo, which usually sees around 800 visitors on weekdays, has experienced a dramatic rise, now receiving more than 4,000 visitors during the week and over 10,000 on weekends.
Zookeeper Atthapon, who has been caring for hippos and other animals at the zoo for eight years, never anticipated such a response.
“It was beyond expectation,” he said.
Moo Deng, whose name was selected by fans through a social media poll and means “bouncy pork,” has been embraced as an internet megastar. Her fame has inspired memes, cartoons, and even an official post from the social media platform X.
In light of her growing popularity, the zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoi, announced plans to patent and trademark “Moo Deng the hippo” to prevent unauthorized commercial use of her image. The move aims to generate income to improve the lives of all animals at the zoo, which houses over 2,000 animals and is involved in breeding programs for endangered species, including the pygmy hippopotamus.
To meet public demand, the zoo is producing Moo Deng-themed merchandise and preparing to launch a 24-hour live stream for fans unable to visit in person. However, Moo Deng’s fame has also attracted some less considerate visitors, leading to the implementation of new guidelines to protect her from mistreatment. The zoo has posted signs in multiple languages warning against disturbing the baby hippo.