East Asia
Thailand zoo defends viral baby hippo Moo Deng against Peta’s captivity claims
Thailand has dismissed as outdated, animal rights group Peta’s accusations that an internet-famous female baby pygmy hippo “faces a lifetime of confinement” at a local zoo cashing in on the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.
A local company introduced Moo Deng-inspired flip-flops priced at 199 baht per pair, claiming they “make you bounce when you wear them”.
