Cute and well-known Moo Deng has paid a price for her fame.

In the eastern part of Thailand, there is a zoo that is home to a charming and cartoonish pygmy hippo. Her name is Moo Deng, which translates to "bouncy pig" in Thai, and she was born in the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in July. Since then, this two-month-old hippo has captured the hearts of people all over the internet with her hilarious facial expressions and adorable antics. Photos of her sticking her tongue out and appearing to scream have even been turned into memes.

However, along with her newfound fame, Moo Deng has also faced some challenges. The zoo she lives in has issued a statement from its director, Narongwit Chodchoi, condemning the harassment that Moo Deng has been receiving from visitors. Videos have surfaced showing people throwing food at her and even splashing her with water in an attempt to get a reaction. Chodchoi emphasized that not only is this behavior cruel, but it is also dangerous for the hippo. It is important to protect these animals and provide them with a safe and comfortable environment.

As a result of Moo Deng's popularity, the zoo has had to limit the amount of time visitors can spend watching her to just five minutes per person in order to control the large crowds. Signs have also been put up around her enclosure asking people not to throw food at her or her family. Chodchoi shared that some tourists have behaved inappropriately, pouring water on her and even throwing objects at her while she was resting on the ground. To monitor and prevent this type of behavior, the zoo has added extra security cameras around Moo Deng's area.

Despite these challenges, the zoo has embraced Moo Deng's unexpected fame and affectionately refers to it as "pig fever" on their social media pages. They even posted that she is "an icon, a legend, and the moment." Visitors from all over the world have come to see her, and the zoo keeps fans updated on her movements. They even mention that she puts on a show at 8am and 2pm when she wakes up from her nap and begins to "bounce" around again.

Moo Deng's popularity is not just due to her undeniable cuteness, but also because she is a rare species. Pygmy hippos are native to western Africa and there are estimated to be less than 3000 of them left in the wild. They have been classified as an endangered species since 2006 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is also rare for pygmy hippos to be born in zoos, with only a dozen being born globally last year. This makes Moo Deng even more special and unique.

Moo Deng lives in the zoo with her siblings, Moo Wan, Pha Lor, and Moo Tun, whose names mean "sweet pork," "pork belly stew," and "stewed pork," respectively. As the smaller cousins of regular hippos, pygmy hippos are generally docile and not aggressive. However, like any animal, they can become dangerous if provoked. This can include behaviors such as biting, lunging, and rearing, as shared by Franklin Park Zoo.

In the midst of all the attention and excitement surrounding Moo Deng, one thing is for sure – she is a beloved and treasured member of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Her popularity has shone a spotlight on the importance of protecting and preserving rare and endangered species like the pygmy hippo. And as visitors continue to flock to see her, the zoo reminds everyone to respect and appreciate these animals in their natural habitat.

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