03:42Two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng from Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand has become an internet sensation after her feisty antics amassed millions of views online.
Footage shows crowds of visitors flocking to the hippopotamus enclosure to take pictures of Moo Deng as she trailed behind her mother, eating grass and taking a dip in Thailand’s sweltering heat.
"We have followed the news ever since Moo Tun, her brother, was born. So, as soon as we knew about Moo Deng we made an effort to come and see her," said one visitor
The calf caused a frenzy online as social media users couldn't get enough of her comical expressions. The baby hippo went viral after videos emerged of Moo Deng wobbling and rolling around her enclosure and nipping at zookeepers as they sprayed her with water.
"She is very famous on social media," one zookeeper said. "Tourists are coming every day and there are growing numbers for her."
The number of visitors has doubled since her birth in July, according to Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
"Today is very crowded," one visitor said. "I've never seen this before. It is quite exciting that we have many people who have come to see her."
However, as fans swarmed the enclosure, the zoo's director, Khun Narongwit, urged tourists to behave appropriately after videos surfaced of visitors throwing water and seashells at Moo Deng to wake her up.
"Ever since Moo Deng became famous, the zoo has had to introduce some measures to oversee this, so there are signs and billboards placed around the zoo," Narongwit said.
"We have devised a queuing system which allows visitors a five minute viewing time. This is fair for all," he added.
Moo Deng roughly translates to 'bouncy pork,' the name of a Thai dish. The name was chosen by 20,000 people in an online poll on the zoo's website. Her siblings, Moo Wan (sweet pork), Pha Lor (pork belly stew) and Moo Tun (stewed pork) also take their names from traditional Thai cuisine.
Pygmy hippos, native to the swamps and rainforests of western Africa, are an endangered species, with an estimated 2,000-2,500 remaining in the wild.
Thailand's newest star! Moo Deng the hippo splashes into the spotlight at Khao Kheow Zoo
Two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng from Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand has become an internet sensation after her feisty antics amassed millions of views online.
Footage shows crowds of visitors flocking to the hippopotamus enclosure to take pictures of Moo Deng as she trailed behind her mother, eating grass and taking a dip in Thailand’s sweltering heat.
"We have followed the news ever since Moo Tun, her brother, was born. So, as soon as we knew about Moo Deng we made an effort to come and see her," said one visitor
The calf caused a frenzy online as social media users couldn't get enough of her comical expressions. The baby hippo went viral after videos emerged of Moo Deng wobbling and rolling around her enclosure and nipping at zookeepers as they sprayed her with water.
"She is very famous on social media," one zookeeper said. "Tourists are coming every day and there are growing numbers for her."
The number of visitors has doubled since her birth in July, according to Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
"Today is very crowded," one visitor said. "I've never seen this before. It is quite exciting that we have many people who have come to see her."
However, as fans swarmed the enclosure, the zoo's director, Khun Narongwit, urged tourists to behave appropriately after videos surfaced of visitors throwing water and seashells at Moo Deng to wake her up.
"Ever since Moo Deng became famous, the zoo has had to introduce some measures to oversee this, so there are signs and billboards placed around the zoo," Narongwit said.
"We have devised a queuing system which allows visitors a five minute viewing time. This is fair for all," he added.
Moo Deng roughly translates to 'bouncy pork,' the name of a Thai dish. The name was chosen by 20,000 people in an online poll on the zoo's website. Her siblings, Moo Wan (sweet pork), Pha Lor (pork belly stew) and Moo Tun (stewed pork) also take their names from traditional Thai cuisine.
Pygmy hippos, native to the swamps and rainforests of western Africa, are an endangered species, with an estimated 2,000-2,500 remaining in the wild.
Two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng from Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand has become an internet sensation after her feisty antics amassed millions of views online.
Footage shows crowds of visitors flocking to the hippopotamus enclosure to take pictures of Moo Deng as she trailed behind her mother, eating grass and taking a dip in Thailand’s sweltering heat.
"We have followed the news ever since Moo Tun, her brother, was born. So, as soon as we knew about Moo Deng we made an effort to come and see her," said one visitor
The calf caused a frenzy online as social media users couldn't get enough of her comical expressions. The baby hippo went viral after videos emerged of Moo Deng wobbling and rolling around her enclosure and nipping at zookeepers as they sprayed her with water.
"She is very famous on social media," one zookeeper said. "Tourists are coming every day and there are growing numbers for her."
The number of visitors has doubled since her birth in July, according to Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
"Today is very crowded," one visitor said. "I've never seen this before. It is quite exciting that we have many people who have come to see her."
However, as fans swarmed the enclosure, the zoo's director, Khun Narongwit, urged tourists to behave appropriately after videos surfaced of visitors throwing water and seashells at Moo Deng to wake her up.
"Ever since Moo Deng became famous, the zoo has had to introduce some measures to oversee this, so there are signs and billboards placed around the zoo," Narongwit said.
"We have devised a queuing system which allows visitors a five minute viewing time. This is fair for all," he added.
Moo Deng roughly translates to 'bouncy pork,' the name of a Thai dish. The name was chosen by 20,000 people in an online poll on the zoo's website. Her siblings, Moo Wan (sweet pork), Pha Lor (pork belly stew) and Moo Tun (stewed pork) also take their names from traditional Thai cuisine.
Pygmy hippos, native to the swamps and rainforests of western Africa, are an endangered species, with an estimated 2,000-2,500 remaining in the wild.