Moo Deng turns one: Thailand's viral baby hippo gets a birthday bash fit for a star
The tiny hippo, whose name translates to 'bouncing pig' in Thai, marked the occasion with her mother Jona, feasting on a colorful spread of tropical fruits carved in traditional Thai style.
Visitors flocked to the zoo—located about 100 kilometers from Bangkok—to join in the festivities, which will continue over four days.
Moo Deng shot to worldwide fame shortly after her birth on July 10, 2024, when her keeper, Atthapon Nundee, began sharing clips of her on Facebook, TikTok, and the zoo's pages. Her rosy cheeks, playful charm, and clumsy steps made her an instant favorite online, inspiring everything from memes and fan art to merchandise and even a viral song.
Moo Deng, the global icon
Since her debut, Moo Deng has become more than just an internet hit—she's a national treasure. In the past year, she has been featured in a popular Saturday Night Live skit, correctly predicted the outcome of the U.S. presidential election by choosing between two cakes, and was even honored with a special Google Doodle. A Thai music label released an upbeat song dedicated to her that quickly became an earworm for fans of all ages.
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The Khao Kheow Open Zoo has seen a surge in visitors thanks to Moo Deng's fame. Attendance nearly tripled, reaching close to 600,000 people in the last three months of 2024 alone. The zoo's director, Narongwit Chodchoy, has embraced the hippo's celebrity status by launching themed merchandise, from hippo-shaped ice cream to Moo Deng souvenirs, and securing brand endorsements.
Celebration with heart—and conservation
For her birthday, Moo Deng and her 26-year-old mother were treated to a massive 20-kilogram 'cake' made entirely of fruit, lovingly prepared by the zoo's staff.
Fans could also bid on some of Moo Deng's personal items, including the plastic tub she used as a baby and a cast of her footprints. The auction raised significant funds, with one set of footprints selling for over $21,000. All proceeds will support wildlife conservation efforts.
People who cannot visit the baby hippo themselves are wishing him through their social media posts. One user wrote, "Happy 1st birthday to moo deng!!!!!!!!! It is july 10th in Thailand, where she was born and lives.
God's most beautiful creature. 1 year old!!!!!!! we love you moo."
A second user commented, "Happy 1st birthday moo Deng. we love you so much baby." Another user chimed, "The only birthday I acknowledge today is Moo Deng's 1st birthday, the people's princess, nobody else was born on the 10th of July, definitely nobody else famous (or INFAMOUS)." Clearly Moo Deng's charm is unmatchable and its fan base is ever growing.
Once a round, wobbly baby, Moo Deng is now growing into a sturdier toddler—less of a 'bouncy potato' and more of a 'trotting burrito,' as some affectionately say. But for her fans, she remains the joyful, quirky hippo who captured hearts around the globe.
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