Moo Deng: The Pygmy Hippo Taking Thailand by Storm

The long weekend is attracting even larger crowds than usual to see the celebrity pygmy hippo Moo Deng with traffic to Khao Kheow Open Zoo backed up over five kilometres on Saturday. Road jams were reported across Chon Buri province on Saturday, with the epicentre traced to the zoo, which is located 40 kilometres northeast of Pattaya city. The extended weekend from Saturday to Monday is bringing a surge in visitors to the zoo, which has been handling large crowds of local and international tourists since Moo Deng’s birth on July 10. Monday is the substitution holiday for His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day, which falls on Oct 13.

The end-of-term school holidays also mean more families are heading to the zoo. There have been some complaints that the five-minute time limit on viewings of Moo Deng is too restrictive, as most visitors now have to wait for hours to see her. Some families present at the zoo on Saturday said that while it only took a little over an hour to travel from Bangkok to Chon Buri, they had to queue in their cars for almost the same amount of time to enter Khao Kheow. The visitors said that they were drawn to the zoo by the popularity of Moo Deng on social media.

The zoo has advised visitors who have not purchased tickets online to prepare cash for ticket purchases at the entrance to help alleviate congestion.

The Rise of a Tiny Hippo Star

Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, is no exception – this little hippo is winning hearts worldwide. At just two months old, Moo Deng went viral online after her zookeeper in Thailand started posting videos of her funny antics. Now thousands of fans flock to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi for a glimpse of the tiny hippo.

Not only does Moo Deng attract huge swathes of tourists, but she is also bringing in huge cheques, especially after capturing the heart of a wealthy Dubai businessman. The Moo Deng superfan who has only been referred to as $HIPPO had given £115,500 to the zoo. The businessman flew from Dubai to Thailand to hand the team at the zoo, and Moo Deng's keeper Atthapon 'Benz' Nundee a cheque on October 6 for having such an adorable hippo. “To Moo Deng, the cutest hippo in the world,” the memo on the cheque read.

While many will gawk at this move, it is not the first time the three-month-old pygmy hippo has been given cash thanks to her charm. The hippo whose name translates to Bouncy Pig also caught the attention of a crypto investor. They have so far donated around £830 under the name 'Moodeng on ETH,' the director of the zoological organisation Atthaporn Sriharan said.

Moo Deng's Impact on Tourism

The pygmy hippo’s rising popularity has not only sparked a wave of adoration but also a significant boost to tourism in Thailand. Moo Deng's charm has led the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to create five travel itineraries showcasing attractions on the way to Khao Kheow Open Zoo, aiming to promote inter-regional tourism. The TAT expects the fascination with Moo Deng will boost revenues at restaurants and hotels in Chonburi province by up to 10% year on year.

During the recent long weekend, especially on October 13, 2024, there was a record-breaking number of 14,573 visitors to see the “Moo Deng” at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Bang Phra Subdistrict, Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. This is the highest number of visitors in the zoo’s 46-year history. Many people drove from other provinces, enduring traffic jams for several hours. On some days, the traffic congestion stretched 3-7 kilometers from the zoo’s entrance. International tourists who flew in from various countries also joined the crowd. Everyone remained determined to queue and wait to see her, despite the zoo limiting viewing sessions to only 5 minutes per group.

Concerns for Moo Deng's Well-being

While Moo Deng's cuteness has captured hearts around the world, concerns have been raised about her welfare and the ethics of keeping endangered animals in captivity. Moo Deng was born in captivity and will remain confined for the rest of her life. Her birth does little to aid the struggling wild populations of pygmy hippos. Pygmy hippos are shy creatures that prefer solitude. Even the young stay close to their mother for only six to eight months before venturing out on their own. They are nocturnal animals who typically pass their days wallowing in rivers and swamps before venturing out at night to find food. Being on display all day long with no privacy or autonomy can be extremely stressful for them and may negatively impact their health. Moo Deng is surrounded by onlookers, with visitors allowed to throw things at her. She seems to be constantly harassed by a “caretaker” focused on capturing content for the zoo’s social media posts. The distressed baby hippo has bitten a handler but her plea to be left alone is still ignored.

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s affiliation with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Waza) holds little significance as Waza is a member organisation that does not require accreditation. Businesses simply pay a fee to join and are allowed to set their own “standards”. Caging animals will not save their species. A study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology concluded that protecting animals in the wild – rather than breeding them in captivity – is the most effective way to support population growth. The project’s lead researcher warned, “Captive breeding can reduce motivation and resources for conservation in the wild, with disastrous consequences”. Keeping animals in zoos does not foster respect for them in the wild. They continue to be hunted, poached, harassed and captured for display, leading to the decimation of their populations.

The global zoo community must shift its focus from breeding to addressing the root causes of animal endangerment – namely, human encroachment on habitats, poaching and the “exotic” animal trade. Everyone who cares about animals and respects their right to live as nature intended must turn away from zoos. We must collectively drive home the message that they do not exist to entertain humans.

Moo Deng's Legacy: A Call for Conservation

While Moo Deng's fame continues to grow, it is important to remember that her story is also a reminder of the plight of endangered species. As we marvel at her cuteness, it is crucial to support conservation efforts to protect pygmy hippos in the wild and ensure that future generations can experience the wonder of these creatures in their natural habitat. We must demand that zoos prioritize the welfare of their animals and contribute to real conservation efforts that address the root causes of endangerment.

Perhaps Moo Deng's fame can be a catalyst for change, prompting a shift in focus from breeding to conservation and encouraging people to appreciate animals in their natural environments. Moo Deng's story is a testament to the power of a single animal to capture hearts, but it also serves as a potent reminder that we have a responsibility to protect the planet's wildlife. Let's work together to ensure that Moo Deng and her species have a future in the wild.