Meet Moo Deng. She is a baby pygmy hippopotamus. She is three months old. She lives at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. That is in Thailand.
Moo Deng was born on July 10. Her name means “bouncy pig” or “pork patty.” She is always making funny faces. This has made Moo Deng famous online. Her keepers take photos and videos of her. They share them on social media. Many have gone viral.
Moo Deng is famous on social media.
LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA—AFP/GETTY IMAGESProtecting Pygmy Hippos
Pygmy hippos are smaller than other hippos. They weigh only about 500 pounds, fully grown. Other hippos weigh thousands of pounds. Pygmy hippos are native to West Africa. They are endangered. There are only about 2,000 of them left in the wild.
Moo Deng and her mother, Jona, get a lot of visitors.
RACHEN SAGEAMSAK—XINHUA/GETTY IMAGES
The zoo wants to keep Moo Deng safe. Lots of people travel to see her. Some throw things to get her attention. Workers keep a close eye on visitors. Narongwit Chodchoi is the zoo’s director. “We must protect these animals and ensure that they have a safe and comfortable environment,” he says.
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