Peta accuses Thai zoo of exploiting baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has levelled accusations against Khao Kheow Open Zoo, alleging that the zoo is exploiting Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo, claiming she should be in the wild and not paraded for profit.

“TikTok turned Moo Deng into a celebrity, but the reality is far from cute,” read a post on Peta’s Facebook page yesterday. “The zoo in Thailand is exploiting her for profit, parading her around like an attraction. A hippo’s home is the wild. Boycott roadside zoos!”

The social media post also featured a message from Peta’s Asia senior vice president, Jason Baker, stating, “There is nothing cute about a baby born into imprisonment! Moo Deng should’ve been born in the wild, not bred for human entertainment.”

The post highlighted reports of visitors throwing water and other objects at Moo Deng, which Peta argued endangered her safety.

Officials from the zoo in Chon Buri have asserted that such behaviour is unacceptable. The zoo indicated that if visitors do not comply with the rules, it may pursue legal action to safeguard its animals.

Since her keeper began posting about her a few weeks ago, Moo Deng has become an internet sensation, drawing large crowds to Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Visitors have been willing to wait hours for a chance to participate in five-minute viewing sessions.

A zoo spokesperson reported that September’s admission revenue had quadrupled to 19.2 million baht (US$593,000) compared to the same month last year.

Moo Deng’s popularity has also spurred massive sales of merchandise and a 24-hour livestream.

Peta’s post has sparked a range of responses, with many disagreeing with the organisation’s stance. Some comments argued that the zoo is playing a role in conserving the endangered pygmy hippo.

“The pygmy hippo is an endangered animal. If you leave it in the wild, do you think it will be safe from enemies and hunters?” read one comment.

Endangered pygmy hippos, native to West Africa, number between 2,000 and 2,500 in the wild, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reported Bangkok Post.

Peta has previously criticised the Thai coconut industry, accusing it of “kidnapping countless monkeys as babies and later forcing them to pick coconuts.” Industry executives have denied these allegations.