Come Meet Moo Deng, the Beloved Pygmy Hippo You Can Visit in Just 5 Minutes: NPR

Moo Deng, a 2-month-old female pygmy hippo who has recently become a viral internet sensation, stands next to her mother Jona, 25, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, on Sunday.

Moo Deng, a 2-month-old feminine pygmy hippo who has not too long ago turn out to be a viral web sensation, stands subsequent to her mom Jona, 25, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand, on Sunday.

Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP by way of Getty Images

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Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP by way of Getty Images

A child pygmy hippopotamus in a Thailand zoo has shortly turn out to be a worldwide web sensation after the zoo started posting movies of her. But zoo officers say the elevated consideration has led to dangerous conduct from some guests.

Photos of Moo Deng, who's simply 2 months previous, have flooded social media, with the Utah Jazz together with the hippo in a post about the staff's home-opening sport. Sephora Thailand celebrated Moo Deng’s stardom by posting on social media about methods to “wear your blush like a baby hippo.”

She has additionally drawn a surge in the variety of guests to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. But zoo officers have restricted visitation due to water being poured on her and objects being thrown at her by guests. In a social media post over the weekend, zoo officers mentioned guests might see Moo Deng for less than 5 minutes on Saturdays and Sundays.

Visitors look at Moo Deng alongside her mother Jona, 25, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Sunday.

Visitors take a look at Moo Deng alongside her mom, Jona, 25, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Sunday.

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Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP by way of Getty Images

Narongwit Chodchoi, director of the zoo, issued an announcement final week warning there can be authorized penalties for many who harass the beloved hippo.

“These behaviors are not only cruel but also dangerous,” he mentioned, according to the Nation Thailand. “We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment.”

Why is she so fashionable?

Moo Deng is seen at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Sunday. Zoo officials warned visitors against bad behavior around the animals.

Moo Deng is seen at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Sunday. Zoo officers warned guests in opposition to dangerous conduct round the animals.

Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP by way of Getty Images

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Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP by way of Getty Images

Moo Deng was born on July 10 and rose to fame after the zoo started posting movies on social media of her consuming and even opening a door. Her mom, Jona, is 25 years previous and her father, Tony, is 24 years previous, according to the zoo. She is the seventh child hippo born to her dad and mom at the zoo.

A TikTok page devoted to animals at the zoo with greater than 2.7 million followers has been sharing Moo Deng movies, with hippo fan movies gaining thousands and thousands of views throughout Instagram as effectively.

Her identify, which suggests “bouncy pig,” was chosen by greater than 20,000 guests by an internet vote and revealed in late August.

The pygmy hippo is an endangered species, with solely about 2,000-2,500 mature people remaining as of 2015, in line with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their numbers are persevering with to say no, as they're hunted for bushmeat and their habitat is destroyed, the Pygmy Hippo Foundation says. They are smaller than a standard hippopotamus and are primarily discovered in West Africa in nations similar to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast.