Moo Deng Explained

Moo Deng
Species:Pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis)
Gender:Female
Birth Date:10 July 2024
Namedafter:Thai for or
Residence:Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Chonburi, Thailand
Parents:Jonah (mother) and Tony (father)

Moo Deng (born 10 July 2024) is a pygmy hippopotamus living in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand.[1] [2] She became a popular internet meme at two months of age after images of her went viral online in September 2024.

Background

Moo Deng was born on 10 July 2024 to parents Tony and Jonah. She has two full siblings (Nadet and Moo Tun) and four half-siblings (Ko, Kanya, Phalo, and Moo Wan).[3] The name Moo Deng (th|หมูเด้ง,, pronounced as /th/) was chosen through a public poll, with over 20,000 people voting for it. It translates to or in English.[4] [5] [6]

Online popularity

Khao Kheow Open Zoo posted images of its pygmy hippopotamuses on its official Facebook page, and Moo Deng quickly became a favorite among fans.[7] Moo Deng is noted to be more playful and energetic than other hippopotamuses. In response to her popularity, the zoo began selling clothing and other merchandise featuring designs based on Moo Deng.[8] [9] Moo Deng has become the subject of many pieces of fan art.[10]

Due to Moo Deng's viral online popularity, the number of daily visitors to the zoo doubled in early September 2024.[11] [12] Around this time, some visitors have harassed the baby by splashing her with water[13] or throwing objects at her to wake her up. As a result, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo installed security cameras around her enclosure. The zoo director has threatened legal action against visitors who harassed her.[14] [15] The misbehavior by some visitors has been widely condemned online.[16] [17] The zoo also implemented a five-minute time limit for visitors in order to accommodate the high volume.[18]

In September 2024, zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi announced that the zoo had begun the process of copyrighting and trademarking "Moo Deng the hippo" to raise funds for the zoo.[19] The zoo also plans to launch a continuous livestream to allow fans to watch Moo Deng live over the Internet.[20]

On 28 September, Moo Deng was the subject of a Saturday Night Live sketch.[21] She was parodied by Bowen Yang on Weekend Update, and the character was used to satirize American pop-artist Chappell Roan's commentary on fame and political endorsements.[22]

In November 2024, the zoo posted a video showing Moo Deng choosing between two carved fruit dishes featuring the names of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in what the zoo said was a prediction on who would win the 2024 United States presidential election. Moo Deng selected the fruit engraved with Trump's name, a prediction that ultimately came true.[23] [24] That same month, GMM Grammy released an official Moo Deng theme song composed by Mueanphet Ammara titled "Moodeng Moodeng!" in Thai, English, Chinese, and Japanese.[25] [26]

Welfare concerns

Animal welfare groups have expressed concern for Moo Deng. A spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said, "She faces a lifetime of confinement," while World Animal Protection said, "Sharing Moo Deng content might seem innocuous, but it promotes cruelty to animals."[27] The zoo's director, Narongwit Chodchoi, rejected the allegations and maintained that the facility ensures the welfare and quality of life for more than 2,000 animals. The Thai Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that Moo Deng was well taken care of and that PETA was relying on "outdated" information.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zoos in Thailand - Khao Kheow Open Zoo . sawadee.com . 19 October 2016 . 23 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161023124601/http://www.sawadee.com/thailand/zoo/kkzoo.html . live .
  2. Web site: Khao Kheow Open Zoo - Attractions in Pattaya . 19 October 2016 . pattayaconcierge.com . 17 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161117063125/http://www.pattayaconcierge.com/specified-place/khao-kheow-open-zoo/200800000116/attraction/ . live .
  3. Web site: นับญาติ "น้องหมูเด้ง" ตัวตึงสวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว. Manager Online. th. 25 September 2024. https://archive.today/20241001130055/https://mgronline.com/local/detail/9670000089941. 1 October 2024. live.
  4. Web site: 25 July 2024 . Pygmy hippo calf captures hearts at Khao Kheow Open Zoo; fans show interests in pants . 25 September 2024 . Pattaya Mail . 24 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240924180218/https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/pygmy-hippo-calf-captures-hearts-at-khao-kheow-open-zoo-fans-show-interests-in-pants-471760 . live .
  5. News: Duster . Chandelis . Meet Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo so popular you can visit her for only 5 minutes . 24 September 2024 . . September 18, 2024 . 23 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240923120845/https://www.npr.org/2024/09/18/nx-s1-5115841/meet-moo-deng-baby-pygmy-hippo . live .
  6. Web site: Saksornchai . Jintamas . 2024-09-19 . Thailand's adorable pygmy hippo Moo Deng has the kind of face that launches a thousand memes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240926001231/https://apnews.com/article/moo-deng-baby-hippo-thailand-zoo-27485f0cbc70071252be45d870d507aa . 26 September 2024 . 2024-09-25 . Associated Press.
  7. News: Tiengtae . Nannalin . 11 September 2024 . Baby pygmy hippo the star at Chon Buri zoo . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001141819/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2863668/baby-pygmy-hippo-the-star-at-chon-buri-zoo . 1 October 2024 . 12 September 2024 . Bangkok Post.
  8. Web site: 12 September 2024 . Viral Pygmy Hippo 'Moo Deng' Boosts Khao Kheow Open Zoo Visitors . Khaosod English . 12 September 2024 . 12 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240912234020/https://www.khaosodenglish.com/tourism/2024/09/12/viral-pygmy-hippo-moo-deng-boosts-khao-kheow-open-zoo-visitors/ . live .
  9. Baby Hippo named Moo becomes viral sensation . 13 September 2024 . . 14 September 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240914071733/https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/baby-hippo-named-moo-becomes-viral-sensation-219344965844 . 2024-09-14 . live.
  10. Moo-Deng: the two-month-old baby pygmy hippo becoming an online giant . 12 September 2024 . . 14 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240913232703/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCM7utGdoxo . 13 September 2024 . live . YouTube.
  11. Web site: 13 September 2024 . Nick . March . Moo Deng: Thailand zoo's celebrity baby pygmy hippo . 13 September 2024 . BBC News . 1 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001141808/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy848292dr4o . live .
  12. News: Foley . Becca . Riffe . Noah . September 24, 2024 . A Pygmy Hippo Is Stealing Hearts (and Biting Zookeepers) . . https://web.archive.org/web/20240924140757/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/24/style/moo-deng-baby-pygmy-hippo-thailand.html . 2024-09-24 . live.
  13. News: 12 September 2024 . Viral Thai baby hippo Moo Deng harassed by visitors, zoo chief vows action . 12 September 2024 . The Straits Times . 0585-3923 . 1 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001140014/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/viral-baby-hippo-moo-deng-harassed-by-visitors-zoo-chief-vows-action . live .
  14. Web site: Katie . Mather . 12 September 2024 . Baby hippo goes viral on TikTok, doubles Thai zoo's visitor count . 12 September 2024 . Yahoo News . 1 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001140020/https://www.yahoo.com/news/baby-hippo-goes-viral-on-tiktok-doubles-thai-zoos-visitor-count-205918220.html . live .
  15. News: Zoo asks 'Moo Deng' fans to behave . 12 September 2024 . 12 September 2024 . Bangkok Post . 1 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001140017/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2864411/zoo-asks-moo-deng-fans-to-behave . live .
  16. Web site: Tanakorn . Aim . 11 September 2024 . Some Netizens Concerned on How Some Visitors Treat Beloved Baby Hippo Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi . 12 September 2024 . The Pattaya News . 1 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001140017/https://thepattayanews.com/2024/09/11/some-netizens-concerned-on-how-some-visitors-treat-beloved-baby-hippo-moo-deng-at-khao-kheow-open-zoo-in-chonburi/ . live .
  17. Ewe . Koh . 13 September 2024 . She's an Icon, She's a Legend ... She Is Moo Deng . 14 September 2024 . Time . 1 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001140017/https://time.com/7021047/moo-deng-baby-pygmy-hippo-thailand-viral-cute-safety-concerns/ . live .
  18. News: Jetjaras . Na Ranong . Nannalin . Tiengtae . Onnucha . Hutasingh . 14 September 2024 . Five-minute limit set on Moo Deng visits . 14 September 2024 . . 1 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001140019/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2865462/five-minute-limit-set-on-moo-deng-visits . live .
  19. Web site: Brunner . Raven . 19 September 2024 . Viral Baby Pygmy Hippo Moo Deng Is So Popular She's Working on Obtaining Her Own Patent . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001140012/https://people.com/viral-baby-pygmy-hippo-moo-deng-working-on-patent-8715387 . 1 October 2024 . 2024-09-26 . People.
  20. Web site: Watts . Marina . 23 September 2024 . Moo Deng, the Baby Pygmy Hippo from Thailand That Has Taken Over the Internet, Is Getting Her Own Livestream . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001141014/https://people.com/how-to-livestream-moo-deng-baby-pygmy-hippo-from-thailand-8716444 . 1 October 2024 . 2024-09-26 . People.
  21. Weekend Update: Baby Hippo Moo Deng on Fame - SNL . 2024-09-28 . . 2024-09-30 . YouTube. https://web.archive.org/web/20241009122745/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfIbbP3vuwA . 2024-10-09 . live.
  22. Web site: McCarthy . Anne . 'SNL' Jokes About Chappell Roan Fan Harassment With Bowen Yang Dressed as Celebrity Hippo Moo Deng: 'We Both Deserve Patience and Grace' . . 29 September 2024 . 29 September 2024 . 29 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240929061140/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/snl-mocks-chappell-roan-bowen-yang-moo-deng-1236159205/ . live .
  23. Web site: Thai baby hippo Moo Deng 'predicts' US election win for Trump . . 5 November 2024 . 5 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241114020640/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241105-thai-baby-hippo-moo-deng-predicts-us-election-win-for-trump . 2024-11-14 . live.
  24. Web site: Moo Deng rewarded for picking Trump . . 5 November 2024 . 8 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241114021117/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2898757/moo-deng-rewarded-for-picking-trump . 2024-11-14 . live.
  25. Web site: Thailand’s baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng has an official song released in 4 languages . . 13 November 2024 . 13 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241114022007/https://apnews.com/article/thailand-moo-deng-hippo-khao-kheow-zoo-song-7bd956dd6766d3f1302b3e2c6ac73644 . 2024-11-14 . live.
  26. Web site: Thailand's baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng now has an official song released in 4 languages . . 14 November 2024 . 14 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241114013848/https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/trending/moo-deng-song-moodeng-moodeng-pygmy-hippo-thailand-413706 . 2024-11-14 . live .
  27. Web site: Sarkar . Alisha Rahaman . 2024-10-03 . Thailand rejects criticism over pygmy hippo Moo Deng's 'lifetime of confinement' . 2024-10-20 . . en. https://web.archive.org/web/20241004024345/https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/southeast-asia/moo-deng-peta-thailand-zoo-b2623044.html . 2024-10-04 . live.

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