{"id":254826,"date":"2025-07-11T00:24:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T00:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/254826\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T00:24:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T00:24:13","slug":"worlds-most-famous-hippo-moo-deng-has-own-festival-and-3300-birthday-cake-news-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/254826\/","title":{"rendered":"World’s most famous hippo Moo Deng has own festival and \u00a33,300 birthday cake | News World"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Thailand<\/a>\u2019s rosy-cheeked and chubby celebrity hippopotamus is turning one year old today \u2013 and the zoo is going all out for her first year.<\/p>\n

Pygmy hippo Moo-Deng, a name which translates to \u2018bouncy pork\u2019, was dubbed an \u2018icon\u2019 and \u2018legend\u2019 by Time Magazine by the time she was two months old, and has amassed millions of followers.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Thousands of people are now coming to the zoo for a four-day festival to celebrate the little hippo\u2019s big day.<\/p>\n

Activities at the festival include a lecture on \u2018Moo Deng\u2019s cheekiness\u2019, and skincare tips (Miss Moo sparked a beauty craze last year thanks to her glow). <\/a><\/p>\n

There\u2019s also an auction for some of her belongings \u2013 whatever those might be \u2013 and a massive \u00a33,300 fruit cake will be presented to her as a gift.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Pattanawadee
\n\t\tSome fans came all the way from Bangkok to visit (Picture: Reuters)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"A
\n\t\tSuperfans wore Moo Deng hats (Picture: AP)<\/p>\n

One of Moo Deng\u2019s keepers, Attaphol Nundee, said: \u2018Moo Deng used to be very naughty and jumped around all the time. Now she only eats and sleeps.\u2019<\/p>\n

Though the internet icon\u2019s popularity has slowed a bit as she grew, she still has a devoted fan base and her own line of merchandise.<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Attaphon added: \u2018I hope that the cuteness of Moo-Deng will raise awareness for people to come and learn about the species.\u2019<\/p>\n

The adorable hippo has siblings also named after pork \u2013 Moo Wan, which means Thai sweet pork; Pha Lor, which means pork belly stew; and Moo Tun, which means stewed pork.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Mother
\n\t\tMum Jonah (left) and Moo Deng (right) love a bit of veg for lunch (Picture: AP)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Two-month-old
\n\t\tThe feisty hippo often nips at her keepers\u2019 shoes (Picture: AP)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unable to celebrate Moo Deng\u2019s first birthday with her in Thailand, you can find a pygmy hippo closer to home. <\/p>\n

Edinburgh Zoo hippos Gloria and Otto welcomed wee Haggis last October, <\/a>with staff saying she would be a little \u2018ambassador\u2019 for her species.<\/p>\n

Haggis has a bit of a personality as well \u2013 her keepers previously told Metro <\/strong>she was feisty and fun. <\/p>\n

Metro<\/strong>\u00a0spoke to Penny Jack, a hoofstock keeper who works with Haggis, about how the zoo will celebrate the baby hippo\u2019s first Christmas.<\/p>\n

Hoofstock workers help with animals including giraffes, hippos, rhinos, zebras, antelopes and other hoofed species.<\/p>\n

Jack said: \u2018She\u2019s definitely feisty enough \u2013 she takes after her mum \u2013 but Otto is a chill dad.\u00a0He usually lies down and keeps himself comfy. <\/p>\n

\u2018The girls will join him if they\u2019re in the mood to, otherwise Gloria tells him that she needs space so he\u2019ll leave her and the baby to it.\u2019<\/p>\n

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

For more stories like this, <\/strong>check our news page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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