Dubai millionaire donates 5 million baht to Moo Deng and Thai zoo

A millionaire from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates visited the adorable pygmy hippo Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri province. So captivated was he by the charming animal that he generously donated 5 million baht to support the zoo’s activities.

The Facebook page of the global sensation at Khao Kheow Zoo, ขาหมู แอนด์เดอะแก๊ง (Khamoo and the Gang meaning “stewed pork leg and the gang”), shared the good news with its followers yesterday, October 6, announcing that the crypto coin maker from Dubai had donated the money to Moo Deng and the zoo. The page captioned the post…

“Thank you, $HIPPO, for the 5 million baht donation. This is the beginning of an exciting cooperation to support Moo Deng and Thai zoos.”

The post featured images of officials from Khao Kheow Zoo along with a representative from a Dubai-based crypto coin company, whose identity remains unidentified. Another image captured Moo Deng basking in the afternoon sun alongside her caretaker, Auttaphon “Benz” Nundee, who was proudly holding a donation sign.

The financial contribution to the zoo is intended to support a range of initiatives at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, all aimed at enhancing the well-being of the animals. The official account for the $HIPPO cryptocurrency on X (formerly known as Twitter) also announced that this donation marks merely the beginning of their campaign, with the development team planning additional contributions to zoos across Thailand.

The $HIPPO coin is classified as a meme coin, crafted for entertainment and designed to ride the wave of contemporary trends. This particular coin was inspired by none other than Moo Deng, currently hailed as the world’s most adorable hippo.

Following a report posted by the Khamoo and the Gang page this morning, a large crowd gathered at Moo Deng’s enclosure, a surprising turnout given the weekend. The lengthy queue was also bolstered by the fact that many Thai schoolchildren are currently on holiday, eager to catch a glimpse of the beloved hippo.

Recently, an American woman named Molly made headlines in Thai and international news after spending over 18.5 hours on a flight to meet Moo Deng in Chon Buri. She shared her experience on TikTok, showing how much of a fan she is by wearing Moo Deng pyjamas and a T-shirt purchased from the zoo.