Visitors hoping to see a pygmy hippopotamus could have a most of 5 minutes to achieve this, the Thai zoo the place she lives introduced Saturday.
Moo Deng, who was born on July 10, 2024, to mother and father Tony and Jona, has turn out to be a bona fide viral sensation after photos of her reacting strongly to a shower have been shared earlier this month on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
Since then, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo within the province of Chonburi has skilled a large inflow of holiday makers as individuals search to get a glimpse of the child hippo.
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Traffic to the zoo was backed up by two hours on Saturday as an estimated 12,000 individuals got here to the zoo to see Moo Deng, the Bangkok Post reported.
To higher handle crowds, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo is limiting teams to 50 individuals and permitting them 5 minutes to view Moo Deng and the opposite pygmy hippopotamuses on the zoo.
Moo Deng (proper), and her mom, Jona (left), dwell at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The zoo lately had to introduce a time limit on followers who’re keen to see the viral child hippo. (Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/LightRocket through Getty Images)
The zoo will even be launching a 24-hour dwell stream of Moo Deng, mentioned the Bangkok Post, and can be promoting Moo Deng-inspired merchandise to elevate funds to enhance the zoo.
Moo Deng’s reputation, nevertheless, has additionally resulted in zoo patrons behaving poorly. Videos posted on-line present some zoo patrons throwing issues at or making an attempt to splash the child hippo to get her consideration.
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Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi condemned these behaviors in an internet assertion, saying they’re “not only cruel, but also dangerous.”
“We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment,” mentioned Narongwit.
Additionally, the zoo has put in safety cameras to higher shield Moo Deng and the opposite pygmy hippopotamuses within the enclosure, reported the BBC.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo for extra remark about Moo Deng’s reputation.
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Online, significantly on X and TikTook, customers have expressed their adoration of Moo Deng, and her expressive face has been used as response memes.
Moo Deng’s expressive face and seemingly sturdy reactions to on a regular basis occasions have contributed to her viral fame. (Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/LightRocket through Getty Images)
“Moo Deng is a lifestyle icon and i need all of yall to get onboard,” wrote one X person, noting that she is “inexplicably moist at all times,” “slightly blurry in most photos,” “probably screaming or sleeping,” and “round.”
“I would kill and die to protect Moo Deng, KILL AND DIE,” mentioned one other X person.
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Moo Deng, whose identify interprets to “Bouncy Pig” or “Bouncy Pork,” is a pygmy hippopotamus, an endangered species.
Moo Deng, whose identify interprets to “bouncy pig” or “bouncy pork,” has turn out to be a viral sensation each in Thailand and overseas. (Chaiwat Subprasom/SOPA Images/LightRocket through Getty Images)
Pygmy hippopotamuses are present in West Africa, primarily Liberia, says the web site for the Pygmy Hippo Foundation. There are about 2,000 pygmy hippos remaining within the wild.
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The pygmy hippopotamus is about half as tall as an ordinary hippopotamus, and weighs a couple of quarter as a lot. They develop to a height of roughly 2.5 ft tall, mentioned the Pygmy Hippo Foundation.
