Baby hippo goes viral on TikTok and doubles visitor numbers at Thai zoo

A baby hippo has gone viral on social media, inspiring dozens of Thai and international fans to line up outside its enclosure first thing in the morning. The zoo's TikTok account has garnered tens of millions of views for videos featuring Moo Deng.

Moo Deng, whose name roughly translates to “jumping pig,” is a two-month-old female pygmy hippopotamus. Pygmy hippos are an endangered species with fewer than 3,000 left in the wild.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand has asked visitors to behave themselves around the internet's most popular hippo. The zoo claims weekend visitor numbers have doubled since Moo Deng made her debut in late July – and has even inspired zoo merchandise.

The Bangkok Post reported that zoo director Narongwit Chodchoi had seen videos showing guests throwing things at Moo Deng and splashing water on her while she slept. He said the zoo had installed surveillance cameras around the enclosures and could consider legal action if guests did not follow the rules.