Moo Deng’s Birthday Draws Global Conservation Support

Moo Deng, the viral pygmy hippo at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo, celebrated her first birthday with a four-day festival attended by thousands of fans, including visitors from the US and Malaysia. The event featured a 20kg fruit-and-vegetable cake shared with her mother Jona, and auctions of memorabilia that raised significant funds for zoo conservation programs. Children under 12 received free admission during the celebrations. Moo Deng's popularity has brought global attention to the critically endangered status of pygmy hippos and helped increase support for endangered species protection. Proceeds from the festival are aiding the zoo's conservation efforts. Her name, which means 'bouncing pig,' underscores her playful image as a beloved ambassador for wildlife.