Moo Deng: Thailand’s Most Famous Creature
Moo Deng doesn’t bounce like she did a couple months ago. But she still resembles a ripe avocado overstuffed with pâté. She retains a moist sheen. She snuffles. She yawns. She naps. She very occasionally sniffs her mother’s hindquarters, then recoils in a springy huff.
A Life of Intense Celebrity
Mostly, Moo Deng ignores the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who have schlepped to an out-of-the-way zoo for one reason: her. She is, somewhat unaccountably, Thailand’s most famous creature in forever, human or pachyderm. Yet if she’s not in the pool, her eyes and nostrils peeking above the water, Moo Deng spends a lot of time snoozing in a secluded corner of her enclosure, sprawled like an abandoned sausage.
The Rise to Fame
It is a lot for a 6-month-old pygmy hippopotamus, this life of intense celebrity. The visitors are mostly respectful, but there are exceptions, both foreign and Thai. There have been incidents of tossed bananas and of splashed water. The daily annoyances are the shrieks and gasps and the chorus of “Moo Deng, Moo Deng” at every flick of her tail, every wiggle of her bristly jowls. People have fainted in her presence, although Thailand’s sticky heat could have been a factor, too.
The Impact on the Zoo
Last week, Hunter Hackett, a digital nomad from California, joined the Moo Deng receiving line with his wife, Anisi Baigude, a children’s book illustrator.
“I used to scoff at these trends, but now I want to be in on the next big thing,” Mr. Hackett said. “It reminds me of being young and innocent and being excited about, like, Pokémon.”
The Future of Moo Deng
Narongwit Chodchoy, the director of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, has quickly monetized the park’s star occupant. He has arranged endorsement deals from an online marketplace and a telecom company. Wire sculptures of hippos decorate the zoo entrance. There is Moo Deng ice cream and Moo Deng moo deng at the canteen.
Conclusion
Moo Deng, the 6-month-old pygmy hippopotamus, has become Thailand’s most famous creature, with a life of intense celebrity. Her rise to fame has brought attention to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, with a significant increase in visitors. While some have criticized the zoo for its treatment of animals, Moo Deng has brought joy and excitement to many people.
FAQs
Q: What is Moo Deng?
A: Moo Deng is a 6-month-old pygmy hippopotamus, born on July 10, 2024, at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand.
Q: Why is Moo Deng famous?
A: Moo Deng has become famous due to her adorable appearance and playful antics, which have been shared widely on social media platforms.
Q: What is the Khao Kheow Open Zoo?
A: The Khao Kheow Open Zoo is a zoo located in central Thailand, which is home to a variety of animals, including pygmy hippos, capybaras, and sloths.
Q: Is Moo Deng an endangered species?
A: Yes, pygmy hippos are an endangered species, with only about 2,500 left in the wild in their native West Africa. Captive breeding programs, like the one at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, are aimed at increasing the population and helping to conserve the species.
Q: What is the future of Moo Deng?
A: The future of Moo Deng is uncertain, but it is likely that she will continue to be a popular attraction at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Her fame has brought attention to the zoo and has helped to increase its popularity, which could lead to further conservation efforts and breeding programs for pygmy hippos.