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Moo Deng

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This article is about the hippopotamus. For the similarly named Thai pork dish, see Mu daeng.

Moo Deng
หมูเด้ง
Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus, screaming as she is being picked up by a zoo keeper.
Moo Deng in 2024
SpeciesPygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
SexFemale
Born (2024-07-10) 10 July 2024 (age 3 months)
ResidenceKhao Kheow Open Zoo, Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand
Parent(s)Jonah (mother) and Tony (father)
Named afterThai for 'bouncy pork' or 'bouncy pig'

Moo Deng (born 10 July 2024) is a pygmy hippopotamus living in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand.[1][2] She became a popular Internet meme at two months of age after images of her went viral online in September 2024.

Background

Moo Deng was born on 10 July 2024 to parents Tony and Jonah. She has two full siblings (Nadet and Moo Tun) and four half-siblings (Ko, Kanya, Phalo, and Moo Wan).[3] The name Moo Deng (Thai: หมูเด้ง, RTGS: mu deng, pronounced [mǔː dêŋ] ⓘ) was chosen through a public poll, with over 20,000 people voting for it. It translates to 'bouncy pork' or 'bouncy pig' in English.[4][5][6][7]

Online popularity

Thai-language news coverage of Moo Deng in September 2024

Khao Kheow Open Zoo posted images of its pygmy hippopotamuses on its official Facebook page, and Moo Deng quickly became a favorite among fans.[8] Moo Deng is noted to be more playful and energetic than other hippopotamuses. In response to her popularity, the zoo began selling clothing and other merchandise featuring designs based on Moo Deng.[4][9][10] Moo Deng has become the subject of many pieces of fan art.[11]

A cut-out depicting Moo Deng at Book Expo Thailand 2024 in October

Due to Moo Deng's viral online popularity, the number of daily visitors to the zoo doubled in early September 2024.[12][13] Around this time, some visitors have harassed the baby by splashing her with water[10][14] or throwing objects at her to wake her up. As a result, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo installed security cameras around her enclosure. The zoo director has threatened legal action against visitors who harassed her.[15][16][14] The misbehavior by some visitors has been widely condemned online.[17][18] The zoo also implemented a five-minute time limit for visitors in order to accommodate the high volume.[19]

In September 2024, zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi announced that the zoo had begun the process of copyrighting and trademarking "Moo Deng the hippo" to raise funds for the zoo.[6][20] The zoo also plans to launch a continuous livestream to allow fans to watch Moo Deng live over the Internet.[21]

On September 28, Moo Deng was the subject of a Saturday Night Live sketch.[22] She was parodied by Bowen Yang on Weekend Update, and the character was used to satirize American pop-artist Chappell Roan's commentary on fame and political endorsements.[23]

In November 2024, the zoo posted a video showing Moo Deng being choosing between two carved fruit dishes featuring the names of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in what the zoo said was a prediction on who would win the 2024 United States presidential election. Moo Deng selected the fruit engraved with Trump's name.[24]

Welfare concerns

Animal welfare groups have expressed concern for Moo Deng. A spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said, "She faces a lifetime of confinement," while World Animal Protection said, "Sharing Moo Deng content might seem innocuous, but it promotes cruelty to animals."[25] The zoo's director, Narongwit Chodchoi, rejected the allegations and maintained that the facility ensures the welfare and quality of life for more than 2,000 animals.[25] The Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that Moo Deng was well taken care of and that PETA was relying on "outdated" information.[25]

See also

  • Hua Hua, a baby panda that gained online popularity in 2024
  • Knut, a baby polar bear that gained online popularity
  • Pesto, a baby penguin that gained online popularity in September 2024
  • Fiona, another hippo that gained online popularity

References

  1. ^ "Zoos in Thailand - Khao Kheow Open Zoo". sawadee.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Khao Kheow Open Zoo - Attractions in Pattaya". pattayaconcierge.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  3. ^ "นับญาติ "น้องหมูเด้ง" ตัวตึงสวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว". Manager Online (in Thai). 25 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Pygmy hippo calf captures hearts at Khao Kheow Open Zoo; fans show interests in pants". Pattaya Mail. 25 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  5. ^ Duster, Chandelis (18 September 2024). "Meet Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo so popular you can visit her for only 5 minutes". NPR. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  6. ^ a b Saksornchai, Jintamas (19 September 2024). "Thailand's adorable pygmy hippo Moo Deng has the kind of face that launches a thousand memes". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  7. ^
  8. ^ Tiengtae, Nannalin (11 September 2024). "Baby pygmy hippo the star at Chon Buri zoo". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Viral Pygmy Hippo 'Moo Deng' Boosts Khao Kheow Open Zoo Visitors". Khaosod English. 12 September 2024. Archived from the original on 12 September 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  10. ^ a b Baby Hippo named Moo becomes viral sensation. NBC News. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  11. ^ Moo-Deng: the two-month-old baby pygmy hippo becoming an online giant. Guardian Australia. 12 September 2024. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ March, Nick (13 September 2024). "Moo Deng: Thailand zoo's celebrity baby pygmy hippo". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  13. ^ Foley, Becca; Riffe, Noah (24 September 2024). "A Pygmy Hippo Is Stealing Hearts (and Biting Zookeepers)". The New York Times.
  14. ^ a b "Viral Thai baby hippo Moo Deng harassed by visitors, zoo chief vows action". The Straits Times. 12 September 2024. ISSN 0585-3923. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  15. ^ Mather, Katie (12 September 2024). "Baby hippo goes viral on TikTok, doubles Thai zoo's visitor count". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  16. ^ "Zoo asks 'Moo Deng' fans to behave". Bangkok Post. 12 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  17. ^ Tanakorn, Aim (11 September 2024). "Some Netizens Concerned on How Some Visitors Treat Beloved Baby Hippo Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi". The Pattaya News. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  18. ^ Ewe, Koh (13 September 2024). "She's an Icon, She's a Legend ... She Is Moo Deng". Time. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  19. ^ Na Ranong, Jetjaras; Tiengtae, Nannalin; Hutasingh, Onnucha (14 September 2024). "Five-minute limit set on Moo Deng visits". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 14 September 2024.
  20. ^ Brunner, Raven (19 September 2024). "Viral Baby Pygmy Hippo Moo Deng Is So Popular She's Working on Obtaining Her Own Patent". People. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  21. ^ Watts, Marina (23 September 2024). "Moo Deng, the Baby Pygmy Hippo from Thailand That Has Taken Over the Internet, Is Getting Her Own Livestream". People. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  22. ^ Weekend Update: Baby Hippo Moo Deng on Fame - SNL. Saturday Night Live. 28 September 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ McCarthy, Anne (29 September 2024). "'SNL' Jokes About Chappell Roan Fan Harassment With Bowen Yang Dressed as Celebrity Hippo Moo Deng: 'We Both Deserve Patience and Grace'". Variety. Archived from the original on 29 September 2024. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Thai baby hippo Moo Deng 'predicts' US election win for Trump". France 24. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  25. ^ a b c Sarkar, Alisha Rahaman (3 October 2024). "Thailand rejects criticism over pygmy hippo Moo Deng's 'lifetime of confinement'". The Independent. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
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