Thousands of fans gathered at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo Thursday to celebrate the first birthday of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippopotamus whose viral antics have captivated audiences around the globe.
The four-day birthday event, which brought visitors from all over the globe, saw Moo Deng and her mom Jona presented with a huge tropical fruit platter ‘birthday cake’ which they both happily tucked into.
Why It Matters
Moo Deng’s playful “temper tantrums” have captured the hearts of fans around the world since she was born on July 10, 2024.
But her viral videos have done more than bring a smile to the faces of thousands of fans, they have also helped to raise awareness of pygmy hippos, which remain critically endangered, and the work being done on species conservation. They have also generated significant revenue and support for the zoo and its endangered species breeding programs.
What To Know
Several of pygmy hippo’s most dedicated American fans even decided to jump on a plane and fly thousands of miles to help her celebrate her first birthday.
“I just loved her so much and decided, you know what, I have three or four days off of work, I can make it work to fly to Thailand,” said Molly Swindall, who traveled from New York for the celebrations, told the Associated Press. “I will only be there for about 30 hours, but that’s enough to go see Moo Deng. And that’s exactly what I did.”
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Sakchai Lalit/AP
Swindall was among the 12,000 visitors who flooded into the zoo on Thursday to snatch a glimpse of the birthday girl.
Fans sung “happy birthday” and snapped photos of Moo Deng, who seemed unphased by all the extra attention.
The zoo even held online auctions to allow people to sponsor the hippo’s birthday, with all the proceeds going to raise funds for the zoo.
Who is Moo Deng?
Moo Deng was born on July 10, 2024, to mother Jona and father Tony at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. She quickly stood out with her rosy cheeks and mischievous personality, garnering millions of views after her keepers began posting her antics online.
The public chose her name—meaning “bouncy pork”—via social media poll, fitting within her family’s tradition of pork-themed names. Moo Deng is the seventh calf from her parents and shares her enclosure with siblings possessing similar monikers.
Her fame has inspired a slew of Halloween costumes, fan art, and even her own catchy pop song, released by GMM Music. Comedian Bowen Yang depicted Moo Deng in an “SNL” skit, echoing her widespread popularity.
What Zoo is Moo Deng At?
Moo Deng resides at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, approximately two hours east of Bangkok. The facility spans about 800 hectares and is home to over 2,000 animals, including critically endangered species such as the pygmy hippopotamus.
Even as daily numbers have returned to pre-fame levels, the zoo credits Moo Deng both with boosting visitor admissions and generating additional support for its breeding and conservation initiatives. Her enclosure has become the centerpiece, adorned with signs and keepsakes for tourists and fans. Zoo officials have partnered with companies to sell Moo Deng-themed merchandise and even trademarked her name to ensure funds benefit animal care.
How Big Will Moo Deng Get?
Pygmy hippopotamuses are significantly smaller than their common hippo cousins, but still impressive in size. Adults typically measure between two and a half and three feet tall at the shoulder and grow about five feet in length, with a weight range of 350 to 600 pounds.
What People Are Saying
Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy told the Associated Press on Thursday, “Moo Deng is a representative of all wild animals, and she helps everyone understand the roles of zoos. She speaks for all nearly extinct animals, and turns people’s attention to their conservation.”
Attapon Srihayrun, Director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, told Newsweek: “Moo Deng’s meteoric rise to fame was extremely unexpected, but it’s been really wonderful to see increased interest in the zoo and learning about the animals.”
Thea Chavez, who flew into Thailand from Houston, Texas, to visit Moo Deng, told AP, “Moo Deng is my happy pill, and she’s my energy pill, my curing pill. She’s my vitamin!”
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced on Facebook, “She’s an icon, an idol & our ultimate bestie. Today we’re celebrating Moo Deng’s 1st birthday!”
What Happens Next
Moo Deng’s legacy continues to expand, with recent announcements of a limited-edition collectible toy and a multi-lingual pop song further cementing her place as a global pop culture icon.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
