The director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo has criticised a 65-year-old local online influencer who tried to rouse the famous but sleepy baby pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, by shouting at it yesterday.
Narongwit Chodchoi stated that the person’s behaviour was inappropriate, even though it did not appear to startle the two-month-old hippo or other animals at the Chonburi zoo unduly.
“She should have respected the zoo’s regulations in her attempts to create online content. Famous YouTubers from other countries follow the rules,” the director said.
The culprit, “Leena”, visited the zoo in Chon Buri province, about 100km from Bangkok, as an ordinary tourist, he added.
She appeared at the zoo yesterday and live-streamed her visit while cutting through lines of people waiting to see Moo Deng, also known as the bouncy pig.
She was heard repeatedly saying, “Make way,” until she reached the calf’s enclosure.
Ignoring the hippo’s admirers, who were already taking photos of the calf and her mother, Jana, Leena loudly exclaimed, “Hey, Moo Deng, wake up! Wake up! There are many people who want to take your photo. Don’t you know that?”
A zoo official approached her and warned her not to shout at the hippos, but Leena ignored him and laughed.
Narongwit noted that, while Leena’s actions did not exactly violate the rules—unlike tourists pouring water on the calf to wake her up—he worried that someone might attempt similar
behaviour in the future.
Thai netizens also harshly criticized Leena’s actions, for cutting in line and for appearing to prioritise her own wants over those of others and the animals.
The zoo has seen an increase in visitors wanting to see the hippo, who was born in July.
After a zookeeper posted her photos and videos on social media, Moo Deng gained fame both locally and internationally.
Due to her popularity, the zoo set up daily live streaming for those who cannot visit in person.
Narongwit reported that, during the weekend, nearly 10,000 visitors came to see the calf.
This popularity has, however, also attracted some more aggressive visitors to Moo Deng, who only wakes up and bounces around for about two hours each day.
Some videos have shown visitors splashing water or throwing objects at the sleeping calf in attempts to wake her.
The hippo enclosure now displays a warning sign, in Thai, English and Chinese, forbidding the throwing of objects at Moo Deng.
