{"id":259740,"date":"2024-09-15T09:17:01","date_gmt":"2024-09-15T09:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/15\/meet-the-baby-pygmy-hippo-who-has-become-a-viral-sensation-hollywood-life\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:11:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:11:19","slug":"meet-the-baby-pygmy-hippo-who-has-become-a-viral-sensation-hollywood-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/15\/meet-the-baby-pygmy-hippo-who-has-become-a-viral-sensation-hollywood-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Baby Pygmy Hippo Who Has Become a Viral Sensation \u2013 Hollywood Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"CHONBURI,\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>
Image Credit: SOPA Images\/LightRocket via Getty (A female dwarf hippopotamus named “Moo Deng”, which means Pork bouncy lies on the ground at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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A baby pygmy hippo in Thailand has taken the internet by storm, capturing the hearts of millions with her cuteness.<\/p>\n

Moo Deng\u2014whose name translates to \u201cbouncy pork\u201d\u2014was born on June 10 at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province to parents Jona and Tony. She has two siblings: Moo Tun, meaning \u201cstewed pork,\u201d and Moo Wan, meaning \u201csweet pork.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Moo Deng\u2019s debut, the zoo shared an Instagram<\/a> post, which translated to English, read: \u201cLet me formally introduce myself. My name is Moo Deng, a female pygmy hippopotamus born on Wednesday, June 10, 2024. My mother is Jonah, 25 years old, and my father is Tony, 24 years old. I\u2019m currently single and 59 days old. \ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\u201d<\/p>\n

The zoo\u2019s Instagram page<\/a> is filled with content featuring Moo Deng, while its TikTok account, @khamoo.andthegang<\/a>, has over 2.6 million followers as of publication. The zoo\u2019s gift shop also offers merchandise celebrating her, including a button-down shirt and pants ensemble.<\/p>\n

But Why Is Moo Deng\u2019s Keeper Worried About Her Growing Fame?<\/h2>\n

According to the Thai PBS World<\/a> news outlet, \u201cVisitor numbers on Saturdays and Sundays are reported to have more than doubled, from 3,000 to 6,000 or 7,000 each day,\u201d at the zoo, with many guests flocking to Moo Deng\u2019s enclosure.<\/p>\n

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\u0e2d\u0e48\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e42\u0e22\u0e19\u0e01\u0e47\u0e40\u0e1b\u0e47\u0e19\u0e19\u0e30\u0e04\u0e30 #\u0e2b\u0e21\u0e39\u0e40\u0e14\u0e49\u0e07<\/a> #\u0e2a\u0e27\u0e19\u0e2a\u0e31\u0e15\u0e27\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e1b\u0e34\u0e14\u0e40\u0e02\u0e32\u0e40\u0e02\u0e35\u0e22\u0e27<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ZnGavRHgJQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 \u0e2a\u0e27\u0e19\u0e2a\u0e31\u0e15\u0e27\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e1b\u0e34\u0e14\u0e40\u0e02\u0e32\u0e40\u0e02\u0e35\u0e22\u0e27 Khao Kheow Open Zoo (@kkopzoo) September 14, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Unfortunately, the surge in interest has also led to incidents of people harassing the baby hippo, prompting the zoo to issue warnings to guests. Some visitors have allegedly splashed water and thrown shellfish<\/a> at Moo Deng to wake her up. In response, the zoo has installed CCTV cameras around the hippo\u2019s habitat to monitor visitors and keep her safe.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese behaviors are not only cruel but also dangerous,\u201d the zoo\u2019s director, Narongwit Chodchoi<\/strong>, said in a statement. \u201cWe must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment.\u201d He added that the zoo may consider legal action against uncooperative visitors.<\/p>\n

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@khamoo.andthegang<\/a> <\/p>\n

Baby hippo #hippo<\/a> #\u0e02\u0e32\u0e2b\u0e21\u0e39\u0e41\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e14\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e14\u0e2d\u0e30\u0e41\u0e01\u0e4a\u0e07<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c \u0e40\u0e2a\u0e35\u0e22\u0e07\u0e15\u0e49\u0e19\u0e09\u0e1a\u0e31\u0e1a \u2013 \u0e02\u0e32\u0e2b\u0e21\u0e39 \u0e41\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e14\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e14\u0e2d\u0e30\u0e41\u0e01\u0e4a\u0e07 \u2013 \u0e02\u0e32\u0e2b\u0e21\u0e39 \u0e41\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e14\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e14\u0e2d\u0e30\u0e41\u0e01\u0e4a\u0e07<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The zoo has urged visitors to come when Moo Deng is awake, recently posting on social media<\/a>: \u201cLittle #Bouncing Pig will wake up bouncing in the morning from 8 AM to 9 AM, especially when she gets showered, then go back to sleep before waking up bouncing again at 2 PM. You can come to see me.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Is a Pygmy Hippo?<\/h2>\n

Native to western Africa, pygmy hippos are listed as an endangered species, with reports indicating that only about 2,000 remain in the wild, primarily in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, according to the UK-based Pygmy Hippo Foundation.<\/p>\n

Unlike the larger and more well-known common hippopotamus, the pygmy hippo is more adapted to a terrestrial lifestyle and spends less time in water. It is about half the height of a common hippo and weighs between 400 to 600 pounds (180 to 270 kg). Pygmy hippos are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, ferns, fruits, and roots.<\/p>\n

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