Who is Moo Deng? The viral baby pygmy hippo who has gathered a legion of fans on social media

With his rosy cheeks and natural charisma, Moo Deng, a two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus, draws large crowds at the Thai zoo where he lives.

Moo Deng, which roughly means “bouncing pig” in Thai, has become a social media hit since his keepers began posting snippets of his life online.

Born in July to parents Jonah and Tony, Moo Deng has two siblings, also known as pork dish variations.

Her half-sisters are named Moo Tun, which means stewed pork, and Moo Wan, which means sweet pork.

Moo Deng’s name was chosen by a popular vote organized by the zoo.

Since his birth, the number of visitors has almost doubled, according to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo.

But not all the attention Moo Deng receives is welcome.

Fame has a price

Moo Deng’s popularity also led zoo patrons to mistreat the animal.

Videos posted online show some visitors throwing shells and even splashing the hippo with water in an attempt to wake it from its slumber.

Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi condemned the behavior in an online statement.

“It’s not only cruel but also dangerous,” Mr Chodchoi said.

“We need to protect these animals and make sure they have a safe and comfortable environment.”

The zoo has installed CCTV cameras around the enclosure and has threatened to prosecute anyone who mistreats the baby hippo.

Crowd management strategies have also been implemented.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo limits groups to 50 people and gives them five minutes to observe Moo Deng and the other pygmy hippos.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), experts estimate there are fewer than 3,000 left in the wild.

Moo Deng’s miniature frame and adorable nature have gone extremely viral.

One video in particular posted on Facebook – showing her yawning – has been viewed 5.8 million times and that number continues to grow.

Loading Instagram content

“Moo Deng is a lifestyle icon and I need you all on board,” wrote one user on X.

“I’m obsessed with Moo Deng. I’ve been thinking about this queen all day,” another said.

The zoo, located about 100km southeast of Bangkok, has capitalised on the baby hippo’s celebrity status.

A range of products, including a hippo-inspired shirt and pants set, are now available for purchase in person and online.

Meanwhile, makeup brand Sephora Thailand released an ad on Instagram featuring a range of Moo Deng-inspired blushes.

It allows customers to “wear their blush like a baby hippo.”