All about Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo in Thailand that went viral

A baby pygmy hippo living at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand continues to cause a viral sensation.

The two-month-old pygmy hippo named Moo Deng was born in July, according to NBC News, and the internet has been abuzz since the zoo started sharing photos and videos of her.

TODAY got a look at the little pygmy hippo in a segment that aired on September 26, in which Moo Deng can be seen sleeping, eating, walking around and playing in her enclosure – all while entertaining her fans on site and captivates everyone online.

The zoo sometimes sees 10,000 visitors a day since Moo Deng's popularity has soared, and her keeper told TODAY that while the little pygmy hippopotamus probably doesn't know about her newfound fame, her mother, from whose side Moo Deng rarely leaves, does but perhaps seen through.

Little pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng and her mother are seen at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province, Thailand, on September 19, 2024. Sakchai Lalit / AP

“Moo Deng may not know about her popularity, but her mother might be surprised because it was quiet before,” the zookeeper explained.

In this section, Moo Deng is seen running after her mother and eating next to her.

A video posted on TODAY's official TikTok account also showed Moo Deng resting beneath her mother while a zookeeper poured refreshing water over her.

After Moo Deng was born this summer, Khao Kheow Open Zoo began posting about Moo Deng on its Facebook, X and YouTube pages. It didn't take long for users to start re-sharing content of the pygmy hippopotamus alongside loving messages.

“Moo deng is a lifestyle icon and I need you all to join in,” one person wrote, citing “inexplicably wet all the time,” “slightly blurry in most photos,” “probably screaming or sleeping,” and ” around”. As reasons why the baby hippopotamus deserves attention.

“Moo Deng, the most beautiful girl in the world,” wrote another.

Even on Emmys night on September 15, fans praised a picture of Moo Deng on X showing her photo on the red carpet.

“Moo Deng is stunning on the Emmys red carpet,” the user wrote.

Sephora Thailand even posted about the pygmy hippopotamus and shared makeup tips inspired by Moo Deng.

“Wear your blush like a baby hippo,” the retailer’s post reads.

Read on to learn more about Moo Deng, including what the baby pygmy hippo's caretakers have to say about her recent fame.

What kind of hippopotamus is Moo Deng?

Moo Deng, a two-month-old female pygmy hippopotamus who recently became a viral internet sensation, watches her mother Jona, 25, eat at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province on September 15, 2024. — Moo Deng and her mother Jona, in Chonburi Province on September 15, 2024. Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP via Getty Images

According to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation, Moo Deng is a pygmy hippopotamus, a species that grows to half the size of a hippopotamus and weighs less than a quarter of its weight.

Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa but are also found in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast, the foundation reported.

According to the Pygmy Hippo Foundation, newborn pygmy hippos weigh between 10 and 14 pounds at birth and are weaned at six to eight months of age.

When was Moo Deng born?

Moo Deng was born in July, NBC News reported.

Is Moo Deng safe?

As much as the hippopotamus has attracted attention, officials say its popularity raises concerns about its safety.

According to NBC News, some of Moo Deng's visitors threw water and other objects at her. In response to security concerns, the zoo announced on September 15 that visitors to Moo Deng would only be allowed to see her on Saturdays and Sundays, with each visit limited to five minutes.

“These behaviors are not only cruel but also dangerous,” zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi was quoted as saying by local media, according to NBC News. “We need to protect these animals and ensure they have a safe and comfortable environment.”

According to the Zoological Society of London, pygmy hippos are considered an endangered species. The Pygmy Hippo Foundation estimates that nearly 2,000 pygmy hippos remain in the wild, but their population is declining due to ongoing hunting for bushmeat.