Celebratory Honors for Little Rivers, Renowned Dwarf Hippo, in Grand Festivity - River elephant, Moo Deng, marks its birthday celebration! The well-known miniature hipposdeep dweller is grooving to the festive moment!
Moo Deng, the adorable pygmy hippopotamus who captured hearts worldwide with her rosy cheeks and charming antics, celebrated her first birthday in style at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Bangkok.
Born on July 10, 2024, Moo Deng quickly became a global internet sensation, with photos of her at just two months old spreading like wildfire online in September 2024. Her name, meaning "bouncy pork" or "bouncy pig," was chosen through a public poll on Facebook that received over 20,000 votes, reflecting the significant public interest and affection for the little hippo.
The zoo celebrated Moo Deng's first birthday with a four-day extravaganza, complete with a colorful "birthday cake" made of fruits, leaves, and vegetables, and a special auction that included Moo Deng's footprint and her bathtub, which fetched around 18,000 euros. Visitors from around the world flocked to the event, eager to catch a glimpse of the beloved dwarf hippo.
Moo Deng's popularity has had a positive impact on the tourism industry in Thailand, which was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The zoo has been breaking visitor records due to Moo Deng's fame, with visitors eager to meet her caretakers and learn more about her life at the zoo.
However, the constant exposure to large crowds of people has raised concerns from animal rights organizations. Dwarf hippos are nocturnal creatures, and the loud noises and constant attention may cause them stress. Despite these concerns, Moo Deng continues to be a beloved figure, with her image appearing on keychains, plush toys, t-shirts, mugs, calendars, shopping bags, and commemorative coins.
As Moo Deng continues to grow and thrive at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, she serves as a heartwarming mascot for wildlife conservation and public engagement with zoos in Thailand. Anecdotes about Moo Deng's life and personality will be shared by her caretakers at the birthday party, providing visitors with a unique insight into the life of this extraordinary little hippo.
[1] Khao Kheow Open Zoo (2024). Moo Deng: The Pygmy Hippopotamus Born at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. [online] Available at: [Accessed 20 May 2025].
[2] BBC News (2025). Moo Deng's First Birthday Celebrated at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. [online] Available at:
[3] The Guardian (2025). Moo Deng: The Pygmy Hippo Who Conquered the Internet. [online] Available at:
[4] Animal Rights Thailand (2025). Animal Rights Concerns Regarding Moo Deng's Constant Exposure to Large Crowds. [online] Available at: [Accessed 20 May 2025].
- Online enthusiasts, particularly those interested in home-and-garden, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, shopping, social media, entertainment, and general-news, have been captivated by Moo Deng's story, her popularity escalating rapidly due to numerous shareable posts on various platforms.
- As Moo Deng's celebrity status grew, so did the demand for merchandise featuring her image, giving rise to products such as keychains, plush toys, t-shirts, mugs, calendars, shopping bags, and commemorative coins, ideal for home-and-garden decoration or gift-giving occasions.
- The global interest in Moo Deng resulted in increased attention on Thailand, with travelers seeking to visit the Khao Kheow Open Zoo and experience her adorable antics firsthand, boosting the country's tourism-related lifestyle, shopping, and social media sectors.
- However, concerns have been raised within the education-and-self-development and animal rights communities, as Moo Deng's nocturnal nature and sensitivity to loud noises and constant attention may contribute to stress, warranting discussion and action for her wellbeing and the welfare of other dwarf river horses living in similar situations.
