Thailand’s hippo Moo Deng draws crowds at first birthday bash

CHONBURI, Thailand: Thailand’s baby pygmy hippo and internet sensation Moo Deng celebrated her first birthday on Thursday (Jul 10), devouring a massive tropical fruit platter alongside her mother as throngs of adoring fans turned up for her four-day party.

Moo Deng, whose name means “bouncing pig” in Thai, became a global superstar last year, with images of her rosy cheeks and clumsily charming antics going viral online, inspiring fan art, merchandise, songs and memes around the world.

Thousands of visitors converged on the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, 100km south of the capital Bangkok, taking turns to see the bouncy baby hippo during a four-day birthday bash that included a photo exhibition, a charity auction and a parade.

“Moo Deng has made more people know about the zoo and they travel here, generating so much income for us – which allows us to improve the zoo a lot,” said Atthapon Nundee, Moo Deng’s caretaker at the zoo.