Marisa Chimprabha Thai PBS World Wed, September 18, 2024

Photo: Thai Embassy in Tokyo’s X account

TOKYO – The Thai Embassy in Tokyo is the latest to jump on the star potential of “Moo Deng”, a pygmy hippopotamus who lives at Khao Kheow Zoo in Chon Buri province.

On its X account, the embassy introduced Moo Deng in Japanese, also known as the “bouncing pig,” to the local audience and invited them to visit her at the zoo, as well as detailing facts about the hippo and her behaviour.

Moo Deng was born on July 10th in Khao Kheow Zoo, about a 90-minute drive from Bangkok. All visitors to Thailand are invited to go and see her.

The hippo has become an internet sensation, since her caretakers began uploading videos and photos of her daily activities.

Many viewers around the world have fallen for her large, sweet round eyes and endearing face.

A video on TikTok, showing Moo Deng’s caretaker playing with her, has been viewed more than 33 million times, with over 2 million likes.

The calf now even has her own Wikipedia page.

Khao Kheow Zoo has recently been crowded on weekends, with hundreds of visitors queuing at her enclosure, waiting for their turn to catch a glimpse. 

Many international media outlets, including CNN, Time and NBC News, have reported on her.

https://world.thaipbs.or.th/detail/thai-embassy-in-tokyo-joins-moo-deng-sensation/54781

SOURCE: Thai PBS World, Thailand Wed, September 18, 2024

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