A man has been arrested after allegedly breaching the enclosure of Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo who shot to global social media stardom, at a Thai zoo.
Zoo officials confirmed the incident involving the internet sensation.
The Thai national reportedly entered the enclosure at Khao Kheow Open Zoo on Tuesday while a keeper was absent and no other visitors were present, according to director Narongwit Chodchoy.
Security footage, widely circulated online, shows a man in a black beanie, sunglasses, green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, while holding a tablet, seemingly recording.
The man remained inside for approximately one to two minutes before staff noticed him. Mr Chodchoy noted that the individual did not attempt to flee as the zoo contacted police. Moo Deng, born in 2024, quickly became a viral sensation thanks to a keeper sharing endearing images and videos online, drawing large crowds from Thailand and abroad.
Police have initially charged the man with trespassing, though the investigation continues, with the zoo indicating it will pursue all available legal avenues. The suspect, who has since been released on bail, was not identified. Mr Chodchoy confirmed that Moo Deng and Jona were safe, as the man did not attempt to touch them.
Despite the man not attempting to touch them, Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, appeared "slightly startled" by the encounter and are now under veterinary observation, the zoo stated on its official Facebook page. Officials urged visitors to "strictly follow all rules and instructions from staff for the safety of both themselves and the wildlife." The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located about 60 miles southeast of Bangkok, spans nearly 2,000 acres and houses over 2,000 animals.
Moo Deng was born at the zoo in Chonburi. Only a month after her birth, her videos exploded on TikTok and social media quickly became obsessed.
Vulture wrote: “She has little teeny, tiny baby chompers, she’s perpetually wet, and her name means bouncy pork. It’s the ultimate recipe for internet cuteness.”
The Associated Press described Moo Deng as having “the kind of face that launches a thousand memes”.
Moo Deng in Thai is a type of meatball. It was reported that the name was chosen by fans through a social media poll, keeping in theme with her siblings: Moo Toon (stewed pork) and Moo Waan (sweet pork). The zoo also has a common hippo named Kha Moo (stewed pork leg).
