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Thai Baby Hippo Internet Star Draws Thousands to Her Zoo

People take pictures as a two-month-old female pygmy hippo named "Moo Deng" who has recently become a viral internet sensation, eats with her mother Jona at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, September 16, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Purchase Licensing Rights
People take pictures as a two-month-old female pygmy hippo named "Moo Deng" who has recently become a viral internet sensation, eats with her mother Jona at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, September 16, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Purchase Licensing Rights
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Thai Baby Hippo Internet Star Draws Thousands to Her Zoo

People take pictures as a two-month-old female pygmy hippo named "Moo Deng" who has recently become a viral internet sensation, eats with her mother Jona at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, September 16, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Purchase Licensing Rights
People take pictures as a two-month-old female pygmy hippo named "Moo Deng" who has recently become a viral internet sensation, eats with her mother Jona at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, September 16, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha Purchase Licensing Rights

Thailand's latest internet celebrity, baby hippo "Moo Deng", is challenging her keepers with the unexpectedly big crowds she is drawing to her zoo, two hours south of the capital Bangkok.

Moo Deng, whose name means "bouncing pig" in Thai, has millions of fans on social media following her clumsily charming adventures, including trying to nibble her handler despite still lacking teeth.

"Normally on weekdays and in the rainy season - which is a low season - we'd be getting around 800 visitors each day," said Narungwit Chodchoy, director of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province.

But the zoo is now getting 3,000 to 4,000 people on weekdays, and welcomed 20,000 visitors over the weekend, he said - most of them lining up to see Moo Deng, Reuters reported.

"Moo Deng fever means we will have organise better so all visitors can see her," Narungwit said.

On Monday morning, the pink-cheeked hippo, whose siblings are called Pork Stew and Sweet Pork, was sitting happily in a bowl of vegetables and other snacks.

"I left home in Bangkok from 6:30 this morning just to come and see Moo Deng," said 45-year-old Ekaphak Mahasawad. "I'm only here to see her."

Moo Deng's grandmother, Malee, recently celebrated her 59th birthday as Thailand's oldest hippo.

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Saudi National Center for Wildlife Releases 134 Endangered Species at NEOM Nature Reserve

The release into NEOM Nature Reserve reinforces Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect endangered species and restore their roles in the natural environment. (SPA)
The release into NEOM Nature Reserve reinforces Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect endangered species and restore their roles in the natural environment. (SPA)
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Saudi National Center for Wildlife Releases 134 Endangered Species at NEOM Nature Reserve

The release into NEOM Nature Reserve reinforces Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect endangered species and restore their roles in the natural environment. (SPA)
The release into NEOM Nature Reserve reinforces Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect endangered species and restore their roles in the natural environment. (SPA)

The Saudi National Center for Wildlife (NCW), in cooperation with NEOM, released 134 endangered species into NEOM Nature Reserve as part of programs for breeding and rewilding native species in their natural habitats.

NEOM Nature Reserve has received 100 Arabian oryxes, 20 Arabian gazelles, eight Nubian ibexes, and six Idmi gazelles to enhance previous releases, enrich biodiversity, and restore ecological systems within the Kingdom's natural environments.

NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Ali Qurban explained that this move is part of a series of releases conducted by NCW in various nature reserves. He emphasized that the release into NEOM Nature Reserve reflects the strong constructive cooperation and integration with partners in the wildlife sector.

Qurban stated that the center is committed to breeding and reintroducing endangered species into their natural habitats based on the highest global standards and practices.

He underscored the ongoing efforts to protect ecosystems, restore biodiversity, and enhance environmental balance to meet national objectives.

The NCW currently operates specialized facilities that rank among the leading global centers for breeding and reintroducing endangered species according to the highest standards, he added.

This release into NEOM Nature Reserve reinforces Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect endangered species and restore their roles in the natural environment, boosting the appeal of nature reserves and national parks to promote eco-tourism, with a focus on building a sustainable future for coming generations.