BANGKOK — With her rosy cheeks and captivating charm, Moo Deng, a two-month-old pygmy hippo, has swiftly become an internet sensation, amassing millions of admirers online and attracting large crowds to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located just east of Bangkok.

This tiny new addition to the zoo family has been winning hearts since her keepers began sharing delightful snippets of her daily life on social media. Whether she’s munching on juicy grapes, playfully rolling on the ground, or enjoying a refreshing swim under Thailand’s blazing sun, Moo Deng’s antics are a joy to behold.

One of her favorite pastimes, as seen in numerous social media clips with millions of views, includes playfully nibbling on her handlers’ knees while they give her a bath. “It is her natural cuteness and playful behavior that attract tourists,” explained Narongwit Chodchoy, the zoo’s director, in an interview with CNN.

The zoo has seen a significant increase in visitors, with numbers rising by at least 30%, thanks to Moo Deng’s growing popularity. However, her newfound fame has not been without its challenges. Some visitors have behaved inappropriately, with one pouring water on her and another throwing a shell at her while she lay on the floor. In response, Narongwit has urged tourists to be respectful and warned that legal action will be taken against anyone harming this beloved mammal.

In the digital realm, Moo Deng continues to captivate audiences. One particularly popular Facebook video features her yawning and enjoying a gentle pat on the chin from her keeper, a clip that has garnered 5.8 million views and counting. Admirers like Aom Worawan and Napatsawan Balee have expressed their adoration online, with comments such as “She is a star” and “a superstar reincarnated as a hippo.”

Moo Deng’s name, which translates to “bouncy pig” in Thai, was chosen by 20,000 Facebook users in an August poll. The name is also a nod to a popular chewy pork dish in Thai cuisine. Born on July 10 to mother Jona and father Tony, Moo Deng is part of a family tradition where her siblings Moo Toon and Moo Warn were also named after Thai food items.

Native to West Africa, pygmy hippos are smaller relatives of the common hippopotamus. Sadly, only about 2,000 of these creatures remain in the wild, primarily in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, as reported by the UK-based Pygmy Hippo Foundation.

For those planning a visit to see Moo Deng in person, Narongwit recommends coming in the morning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., when keepers clean her enclosure and she is most active. Another opportune time is in the afternoon during her mother Jona’s feeding time, as Moo Deng tends to follow her closely. The baby hippo’s strong attachment to Jona is evident during these times.

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