Pygmy Hippo Celebrity: MOO DENG

Welcome Pet Lovers to my Moo Deng page, aka หมูเด้ง, who is the viral Pygmy Hippo Celebrity from Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Thailand.

Please join our experiment of finding out who is the most beloved Animal Celebrity by submitting your votes below <3

MY RATING Summary

3 friends asked me in the same week if I had seen this viral Baby Pygmy Hippo from Thailand.
And yes, I was very impressed and I ended up spending a whole evening just watching and reading about this overload of cuteness.
She definitely deserves all the hype and my first thought is that she’s special and needs to be protected at any cause.
It didn’t take long before I heard that some Zoo visitors were abusing her by throwing stuff at her, shame on them.

It might just be the 1st time I saw a Pygmy Hippo Calf and is it just me or does she remind me of Okja, the Korean movie from 2017?

If there is some sort of Award for Animal of The Year of 2024, I know where my Vote will be.

VIDEO: Pygmy Hippo Celebrity

PROFILE: 

TRIVIA

• Name Meaning: In Thai, Moo Deng translates to “bouncy pork” or “bouncy pig”, a nod to her playful nature and piglet-like appearance.

• Location: Moo Deng lives in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand

• Viral Sensation: Gained widespread popularity in September 2024 after the zoo shared images of her online, leading to a surge in visitors and global fanfare.

• Merchandise and Media: Inspired a range of products, including themed clothing, a realistic cake by Vetmon Cafe, and a makeup tutorial by Sephora. ​

• Celebrity Encounters: Met cast members of The White Lotus Season 3 during their filming in Thailand, who documented their visit and received Moo Deng-themed pajamas from the zoo.

• Adoptive Patron: Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin “adopted” Moo Deng after donating nearly $294,000 to the zoo, further boosting her fame. ​

• Fan Engagement: Due to her popularity, the zoo implemented a five-minute viewing limit per visitor and plans to launch a 24/7 livestream for fans worldwide. ​

• Conservation Status: As a pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), Moo Deng belongs to an endangered species native to West Africa, with fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild.

LINKS 

Website:
moodeng.tv

Info:
Wikipedia

Merch:
Amazon
moodengplushie.com

Social Media:
Facebook ( Khao Kheow Open Zoo)
Instagram
TikTok
Twitter X
MostWantedCreatures

KEY INFORMATION ABOUT Pygmy Hippopotamus

• Scientific Name: Choeropsis liberiensis (Hexaprotodon liberiensis)
• Size: 2.5–3.2 ft tall; 400–600 lbs
• Appearance: Smooth, dark-gray skin; smaller than common hippos
• Habitat: Dense forests near rivers in West Africa (Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast)
• Diet: Herbivore – eats leaves, fruits, roots
• Behavior:
  • Solitary and nocturnal
  • Uses water to keep skin moist
• Reproduction:
  • Gestation: 6–7 months
  • One calf per birth
  • Maturity: 3–5 years
• Lifespan: 30–40 years (wild); up to 50 years (captivity)
• Conservation:
  • Status: Endangered
  • Threats: Habitat loss, hunting
  • Efforts: Protected areas and zoo breeding programs

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