Moo Deng is a baby pygmy hippo born in July; the month old hippo baby has already captured the attention of the internet. Moo Deng was born in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand.
In some cultures pygmy hippos are valued. According to a popular tale, it is believed that pygmy hippos carry diamond in their mouth to light the pathway while navigating through the first.During the day time the hippos hide the diamond.
The pygmy hippopotamus is scientifically known as Choeropsis liberiensis. It is a smaller, more shy relative of the hippopotamus that we see commonly.
It is native to the forests and swamp areas of West Africa, primarily Liberia, though it is also seen in Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast, as per the Pygmy Hippo Foundation.
The pygmy hippo is a nocturnal animal, preferring to spend most of its time hidden in dense vegetation or near water sources.
It has a sleeker, more compact body compared to its larger cousin. “The pygmy hippo is only half as tall as the hippopotamus and weighs less than 1/4 of a full sized hippopotamus. Adult pygmy hippos reach 70-80 cm in height and are believed to have diverged from the common hippo over 10 million years ago,” the pygmy foundation says.
Unlike the social common hippo, pygmy hippos are largely solitary, only coming together to mate.
Pygmy hippos are excellent swimmers, using their slightly webbed feet to navigate rivers and streams, where they seek refuge from predators.
Despite their water-loving nature, they spend more time on land, foraging for leaves, roots, and fruits.
Due to habitat loss and hunting, the species is considered endangered, with fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild.
“The moment I saw Moo-Deng born, I set a goal to make her famous, but I never expected it would spread abroad. I thought she could be famous in Thailand but not internationally,” zookeeper Atthapon Nundee told The Guardian.
As per a BBC report, visitors at the zoo have doubled since Moo Deng’s birth.