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Journalism of Courage
Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo from Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, is now a new internet sensation. Moo Deng, which roughly translates to “bouncy pig” or “pork patty”, as mentioned by TIME Magazine, was open to the public on July 25 this year.
Born on July 10, Deng’s tiny size and expressive personality have captivated thousands of people, leading to fan pages, fan art, and even Sephora Thailand hopping onto the trend to promote a campaign that inspires its customers with a tagline, “Wear your blush like a baby hippo.”
Take a look here:
It all began when Attapon Nundee, a zookeeper, started sharing videos of all the animals he was appointed to look after during the coronavirus pandemic. “The moment I saw Moo-Deng born, I set a goal to make her famous, but I never expected it would spread abroad. I thought she could be famous in Thailand but not internationally,” The Guardian quoted Nundee.
Besides the love Moo Deng has been receiving from visitors and online fans, there were reports of food being thrown at her by the zoo visitors. Narongwit Chodchoi, the director of Khao Khew Open Zoo, informed visitors that the zoo had installed CCTV cameras in the area and warned them of legal action. “These behaviors are not only cruel but also dangerous. We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment,” Chochoi told TIME Magazine.
According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Animals and Plants, pygmy hippos are found only in the interior forests in parts of West Africa. The endangered species feed on roots, leaves, ferns, and fruits and can stand on their hind legs to reach for food higher up in trees. There are 3,000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild.
