Moo Deng

Moo Deng (born 10 July 2024) is a pygmy

Moo Deng
hippopotamus living in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si
หมูเด้ง
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 Deng in 2024
Moo Wan).[3] The name Moo Deng (Thai: หมูเด้ง, Species Pygmy hippopotamus
RTGS: mu deng, pronounced [mǔː dêŋ] ) was chosen (Choeropsis liberiensis)
through a public poll, with over 20,000 people voting Sex Female
for it. It translates to 'bouncy pork' or 'bouncy pig' in Born 10 July 2024
English.[4][5][6][7]
Residence Khao Kheow Open Zoo,
Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand

Online popularity Parent(s) Jonah (mother) and Tony (father)

Named Thai for 'bouncy pork' or 'bouncy
Khao Kheow Open Zoo posted images of its pygmy after pig'
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]

Due to Moo Deng's viral online popularity, the number of daily Thai-language news coverage of
visitors to the zoo doubled in early September 2024.[12][13] Moo Deng in September 2024
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 28 September, 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

choosing between two carved fruit dishes featuring the names of
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in what the zoo said was a
A cut-out depicting Moo Deng at
prediction on who would win the 2024 United States presidential
Book Expo Thailand 2024 in
election. Moo Deng selected the fruit engraved with Trump's October
name, a prediction that ultimately came true.[24][25] That same
month, GMM Grammy released an official Moo Deng theme song
composed by Mueanphet Ammara titled "Moodeng Moodeng!" in Thai, English, Chinese, and
Japanese.[26][27]

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."[28] 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.[28] 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.[28]

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
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External links
Media related to Moo Deng (hippopotamus) at Wikimedia Commons

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