Meet the Baby Pygmy Hippo Who Has Become a Viral Sensation – Hollywood Life

A child pygmy hippo in Thailand has taken the web by storm, capturing the hearts of thousands and thousands along with her cuteness.

Moo Deng—whose title interprets to “bouncy pork”—was born on June 10 at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province to oldsters Jona and Tony. She has two siblings: Moo Tun, that means “stewed pork,” and Moo Wan, that means “sweet pork.”

For Moo Deng’s debut, the zoo shared an Instagram submit, which translated to English, learn: “Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Moo Deng, a female pygmy hippopotamus born on Wednesday, June 10, 2024. My mother is Jonah, 25 years old, and my father is Tony, 24 years old. I’m currently single and 59 days old. 🤣🤣”

The zoo’s Instagram web page is full of content material that includes Moo Deng, whereas its TikTok account, @khamoo.andthegang, has over 2.6 million followers as of publication. The zoo’s present store additionally presents merchandise celebrating her, together with a button-down shirt and pants ensemble.

However Why Is Moo Deng’s Keeper Apprehensive About Her Rising Fame?

In accordance with the Thai PBS World information outlet, “Visitor numbers on Saturdays and Sundays are reported to have more than doubled, from 3,000 to 6,000 or 7,000 each day,” at the zoo, with many company flocking to Moo Deng’s enclosure.

อ่อนโยนก็เป็นนะคะ #หมูเด้ง #สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว pic.twitter.com/ZnGavRHgJQ

— สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว Khao Kheow Open Zoo (@kkopzoo) September 14, 2024

Sadly, the surge in curiosity has additionally led to incidents of individuals harassing the child hippo, prompting the zoo to challenge warnings to company. Some guests have allegedly splashed water and thrown shellfish at Moo Deng to wake her up. In response, the zoo has put in CCTV cameras round the hippo’s habitat to watch guests and maintain her protected.

“These behaviors are not only cruel but also dangerous,” the zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoi, mentioned in a assertion. “We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment.” He added that the zoo might take into account authorized motion in opposition to uncooperative guests.

@khamoo.andthegang

Baby hippo #hippo #ขาหมูแอนด์เดอะแก๊ง

♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – ขาหมู แอนด์เดอะแก๊ง – ขาหมู แอนด์เดอะแก๊ง

The zoo has urged guests to return when Moo Deng is awake, just lately posting on social media: “Little #Bouncing Pig will wake up bouncing in the morning from 8 AM to 9 AM, especially when she gets showered, then go back to sleep before waking up bouncing again at 2 PM. You can come to see me.”

What Is a Pygmy Hippo?

Native to western Africa, pygmy hippos are listed as an endangered species, with experiences indicating that solely about 2,000 stay in the wild, primarily in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, in line with the UK-based Pygmy Hippo Basis.

In contrast to the bigger and extra well-known widespread hippopotamus, the pygmy hippo is extra tailored to a terrestrial way of life and spends much less time in water. It’s about half the top of a widespread hippo and weighs between 400 to 600 kilos (180 to 270 kg). Pygmy hippos are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, ferns, fruits, and roots.