After her photographs went viral on social media a while ago, two-month-old Moo-Deng has become a favourite of travellers and tourists. The pygmy baby hippo, an inmate at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, near Pattaya, has millions of fans worldwide. Moo Deng interestingly means 'bouncy pig' and belongs to the West African dwarf hippo species, which is an endangered group. There are fewer than 3,000 of them left in the world. However, a handful of visitors have been ill-treating Moo Deng; thus, CCTV cams and tracking devices have been installed to keep her safe. Legal actions will also be taken against those mistreating Moo-Deng. For those obsessed with Moo-Deng and the hippo-inspired memes, a range of merchandise, from t-shirts and toys to make-up products, is available online.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo
In addition to Moo-Deng, the zoo has more than 8,000 animals belonging to around 300 species. The 50-year-old zoo lets tourists see animals at a closer range while walking, driving, or riding a golf cart. The zoo is in Bang Phra near Bangkok and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, tourists can also try their hand at night safaris from 6.30 pm onwards.
