CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) — A significant celebration took place on Thursday as thousands of fans gathered at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo to mark the first birthday of Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo who has captured the hearts of many and become a social media star. The festivities are part of a four-day event, with free entry for children under 12 years old throughout the celebration.
The zoo, located approximately two hours from Bangkok, was bustling with excitement as fans from around the world came to see Moo Deng. Among these fans was Molly Swindall from New York, who made the long journey specifically for the occasion. Swindall expressed her admiration, stating, “I just loved her so much and decided, you know what, I have three or four days off of work. I can make it work to fly to Thailand. I will only be there for about 30 hours, but that’s enough to go see Moo Deng."
By the afternoon of the event, zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy reported that approximately 12,000 visitors had entered the zoo. Despite the overwhelming number of guests, Moo Deng enjoyed a moment of tranquility in her enclosure, dipping into a pond while fans chanted and sang “Happy Birthday” as a fruit and vegetable cake was presented to her.
Another enthusiastic admirer, Thea Chavez from Houston, Texas, referred to Moo Deng as her “happy pill,” while Jennifer Tang from Malaysia shared how the baby hippo brings her joy during stressful times at work. Tang noted, “Whenever I’m stressed at work I pull up photos of Moo Deng, so my whole office knows that I’m here…. They let me take a week off." This affection from fans has contributed to Moo Deng's rise as a symbol of joy and happiness.
The zoo organized various online auctions to enhance the birthday celebration, offering items such as photos, footprints, and a food container to generate funds for animal care. Notably, a sponsorship auction for Moo Deng’s birthday cake fetched an impressive 100,000 baht (approximately $3,065).
Moo Deng's fame skyrocketed shortly after her birth, largely due to her keeper Atthapon Nundee. He frequently shares heartwarming moments of Moo Deng on social media, showcasing her playful demeanor and the bond she shares with her mother, Jona. The name Moo Deng, which translates to “bouncy pork” in Thai, was chosen through a public poll and aligns with the names of her siblings, such as Moo Toon (stewed pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork).
Although the zoo has experienced a decline in visitors compared to the peak of Moo Deng's fame, Narongwit emphasized the important role that the baby hippo plays in raising awareness about wildlife conservation. Moo Deng is a representative of endangered species and helps educate the public about their significance. The zoo is also involved in breeding programs to protect many endangered species, including the pygmy hippopotamus, which is primarily found in West Africa and faces threats from habitat loss and poaching. With only 2,000 to 3,000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild, Moo Deng serves as a crucial ambassador for her species.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, spanning 800 hectares (nearly 2,000 acres) and home to over 2,000 animals, continues to see an influx of visitors, sparked largely by Moo Deng's charm. Even as visitor numbers have decreased from her peak fame, Narongwit remains hopeful about her impact, stating, “She speaks for all nearly extinct animals and turns people's attention to their conservation.”
