Who is Moo Deng? Meet the adorable baby hippo taking the internet by storm

The viral pygmy hippo, whose name means "bouncy pork," will reportedly have her own 24/7 livestream.
Pop Culture & Art | September 26, 2024

Courtesy: Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Facebook

Moo Deng, the internet’s latest viral sensation, continues to charm global audiences with her playful antics.

The two-month-old pygmy hippo, housed at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, rose to fame after her videos gained massive traction online. In response to her growing popularity, the zoo is planning a 24/7 live stream so fans can enjoy her frolicking anytime.

The zoo has also seen a surge in visitors, with over 10,000 people flocking to see her in a single weekend.

Moo Deng has also kickstarted a series of meme trends online, including a ‘moo deng autumn,’ referencing Charli xcx’s ‘brat summer.’

The pygmy hippo also caught the attention of X’s official account.

realizing it’s only tuesday pic.twitter.com/hvxCn00KdQ

— X (@X) September 17, 2024

The pygmy hippo's fame, however, isn't without challenges. To better manage the crowds, interactions with her will be restricted to weekends, with group sizes limited to 30 to 50 people and viewing times capped at five minutes per group.

There have also been reports of some visitors throwing objects at the baby hippo to provoke a reaction, leading the zoo director to warn of legal action against unruly visitors.

Moo Deng, whose name translates to “bouncy pork,” is part of a family with similarly food-themed names. Her siblings include Moo Toon, which means stewed pork, and Moo Waan, meaning sweet pork. The zoo is also home to a common hippo named Kha Moo, translating to stewed pork leg.

Despite the attention, Moo Deng’s story has brought renewed focus on animal welfare in Thai zoos, especially as tourism sees a resurgence post-pandemic.

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