Two-month-old Moo Deng has won hearts across Asia since her birth was announced by a Thai zoo in July
Zookeepers have warned visitors not to abuse a two-month-old pygmy hippo that’s gained a cult following online for her “dewy glow”, feisty expressions and wobbly antics.
Called Moo Deng – a name which translates roughly as “bouncy pig” or “pork patty” – the endearing calf has won hearts across Asia since her birth was announced by a Thai zoo in July.
But viral fame has come at a cost.
This week, the director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo urged people to be kind to Moo Deng after videos emerged online of visitors harassing the baby hippo. Some were throwing shellfish at her and others splashing her with water as they attempted to wake her.
“These behaviours are not only cruel but also dangerous,” Narongwit Chodchoi said in a statement posted online. “We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment.”
The zoo just outside the coastal city of Pattaya – where visitor numbers have doubled since Moo Deng’s birth – has installed CCTV cameras around the hippo’s enclosure and has said it would take legal action against anyone mistreating her.
The zoo’s regular updates about Moo Deng have triggered a wave of adoration and memes online, with posts dubbing the “chubby” little hippo a “lifestyle icon” racking up hundreds of thousands of likes and shares.