Moo Deng’s 44-Pound Hippo Cake Draws Global Fans to Thailand Zoo

Moo Deng the 1-year-old pygmy hippo lounges at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo, obliviously chewing her caretaker’s knees as fans debate “What is Moo Deng’s story?” and “Are pygmy hippos endangered?” Molly Swindall, who flew in from New York, declares, “She’s an icon and everyone loves her,” while the zoo’s attendance quadruples and a 44-pound cake looms.
Unbothered by her viral fame or the hippo-sized 44-pound cake, Moo Deng spawns global pilgrimages and hippo-themed cryptocurrency. Zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy reports, “Attendance has quadrupled,” as TikTok users search “Can you visit Moo Deng?” and “How long do pygmy hippos live?” Nearby, a fan camps in a tent for a fleeting glimpse, while Moo Deng contemplates cake, stardom, or simply another nap.
Moo Deng’s birthday party inspired more than 20,000 people to vote on her name, resulting in a global fanbase, quadrupled zoo attendance, and a hippo plush-to-crypto pipeline.