Thai pygmy hippo suddenly becomes famous all over the internet

TPO - Just 1 month after Thailand's adorable hippo Moo Deng was introduced on Facebook, its popularity became unstoppable.

Baby hippo Moo Deng lives with his mother Jona. (Photo: AP)

Many fans traveled far and wide to Khao Kheow Zoo, about 100km southeast of Bangkok, to see the chubby creature in person, after being captivated by videos and memes online.

Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee has been posting cute moments of the animals he has cared for for the past five years. He never expected that the zoo's newborn pygmy hippo would become an internet superstar in just a few weeks.

These days, many cars line up outside the zoo, as visitors from all over flock to see the chubby 2-month-old hippo.

The cage where Moo Deng lives with his mother Jona is often packed with people, with gasps and cheers erupting whenever the rosy-cheeked hippo makes a timid move.

Many people draw cartoons, bake cakes, and create latte art inspired by Moo Deng. Some businesses have also capitalized on its image. “Put on blush like a baby hippo,” one advertises. A food delivery app has also used Moo Deng’s image.

Hippo Moo Deng at a zoo in Thailand. (Source: Guardian)

Faced with such popularity, zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi said he has started to register the trademark "Hippo Moo Deng" to prevent anyone else from commercializing the animal.

The zoo covers an area of ​​800 hectares and is home to more than 2,000 animals. It conducts a breeding program for many endangered species, such as Moo Deng's.

The pygmy hippopotamus, native to West Africa, is threatened by poaching and habitat loss. There are only about 2,000-3,000 left in the wild.

Thu Loan

According to AP

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhoc-ha-ma-lun-thai-lan-bong-dung-noi-tieng-khap-coi-mang-post1675854.tpo