Rise to Fame
, a 2-month-old pygmy hippo from in , has garnered international attention and adoration online, becoming a viral sensation due to her cute antics and expressions.
Named through a social media poll, Moo Deng's name translates to "bouncy pork" in Thai, reflecting her energetic personality. The zoo has started trademarking her name to support animal welfare activities.
Impact and Challenges
The hippo's fame has significantly increased zoo visitors, necessitating limits on public access to her enclosure. However, the attention has also led to inappropriate visitor behavior, prompting the zoo to implement stricter controls.
Despite the challenges, Moo Deng's popularity is being leveraged for conservation efforts, with merchandise sales and a portion of the zoo's income directed towards improving the lives of all animals at the zoo.