CHONBURI: Thailand’s latest internet celebrity, baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng, is challenging its keepers with the unexpectedly big crowds it is drawing to its zoo, two hours south of the capital Bangkok.
Moo Deng, whose name means “bouncing pig” in Thai, has millions of fans on social media following its clumsily charming adventures, including trying to nibble its handler despite still lacking teeth.
“Normally on weekdays and in the rainy season – which is a low season – we’d be getting around 800 visitors each day,” said Narongwit Chodchoy, director of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province.
But the zoo is now getting 3,000 to 4,000 people on weekdays, and welcomed 20,000 visitors over the weekend, the 51-year-old said – most of them lining up to see Moo Deng.
“Moo Deng fever means we will have (to) organise better so all visitors can see her,” Narongwit said.
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