World’s most famous hippo Moo Deng has own festival and £3,300 birthday cake

Thailand’s rosy-cheeked and chubby celebrity hippopotamus is turning one year old today – and the zoo is going all out for her first year.

Pygmy hippo Moo-Deng, a name which translates to ‘bouncy pork’, was dubbed an ‘icon’ and ‘legend’ by Time Magazine by the time she was two months old, and has amassed millions of followers.

She lives in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, and gained fame for her sassy antics, including biting her keepers and making unforgettable faces.

Thousands of people are now coming to the zoo for a four-day festival to celebrate the little hippo’s big day.

Activities at the festival include a lecture on ‘Moo Deng’s cheekiness’, and skincare tips (Miss Moo sparked a beauty craze last year thanks to her glow).

There’s also an auction for some of her belongings – whatever those might be – and a massive £3,300 fruit cake will be presented to her as a gift.

One of Moo Deng’s keepers, Attaphol Nundee, said: ‘Moo Deng used to be very naughty and jumped around all the time. Now she only eats and sleeps.’

Though the internet icon’s popularity has slowed a bit as she grew, she still has a devoted fan base and her own line of merchandise.

But her popularity has helped raise awareness of her species, which is listed as endangered. Estimates from the Pygmy Hippo Foundation suggest there are currently no more than 2,000 living in the wild. 

Attaphon added: ‘I hope that the cuteness of Moo-Deng will raise awareness for people to come and learn about the species.’

The adorable hippo has siblings also named after pork – Moo Wan, which means Thai sweet pork; Pha Lor, which means pork belly stew; and Moo Tun, which means stewed pork.

If you’re unable to celebrate Moo Deng’s first birthday with her in Thailand, you can find a pygmy hippo closer to home.

Edinburgh Zoo hippos Gloria and Otto welcomed wee Haggis last October, with staff saying she would be a little ‘ambassador’ for her species.

Haggis has a bit of a personality as well – her keepers previously told Metro she was feisty and fun.

Metro spoke to Penny Jack, a hoofstock keeper who works with Haggis, about how the zoo will celebrate the baby hippo’s first Christmas.

Hoofstock workers help with animals including giraffes, hippos, rhinos, zebras, antelopes and other hoofed species.

Jack said: ‘She’s definitely feisty enough – she takes after her mum – but Otto is a chill dad. He usually lies down and keeps himself comfy.

‘The girls will join him if they’re in the mood to, otherwise Gloria tells him that she needs space so he’ll leave her and the baby to it.’

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