Baby Pygmy Hippo Moo Deng Draws Huge Crowds to Khao Kheow Open Zoo
At Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, the baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng has become a major attraction, drawing huge crowds during a long holiday weekend. Visitors formed queues over 3 kilometers long to see the hippo, whose popularity surged on social media. The zoo, managing higher than normal attendance, features other attractions like Humboldt penguins and a famous elephant's swimming show, highlighting the influence of animal celebrities on tourism.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Sriracha, Thailand, experienced unprecedented visitor numbers over a long holiday weekend due to the arrival of baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng.
The zoo became a hotspot, with queues stretching over 3 kilometers as visitors, eager to see Moo Deng—a social media sensation—flocked to the venue.
To manage the crowd, viewing times at the hippo enclosure were limited to five-minute intervals.
Ellene, a visitor who traveled from Don Mueang, remarked on the adorable young hippo and the significant crowds, attributed to school holidays and the weekend.
Born on July 10, Moo Deng is the daughter of Jona and Tony and the sibling of another hippo star at the zoo.
In addition to Moo Deng, the zoo features other attractions including Humboldt penguins and performances by Plai Khao Kheow, a well-known swimming elephant, as well as a night zoo offering insights into nocturnal animals.
This surge underscores the potent influence of animal celebrities on social media in boosting local tourism, with zoo officials striving to accommodate the influx while ensuring safety.
The zoo became a hotspot, with queues stretching over 3 kilometers as visitors, eager to see Moo Deng—a social media sensation—flocked to the venue.
To manage the crowd, viewing times at the hippo enclosure were limited to five-minute intervals.
Ellene, a visitor who traveled from Don Mueang, remarked on the adorable young hippo and the significant crowds, attributed to school holidays and the weekend.
Born on July 10, Moo Deng is the daughter of Jona and Tony and the sibling of another hippo star at the zoo.
In addition to Moo Deng, the zoo features other attractions including Humboldt penguins and performances by Plai Khao Kheow, a well-known swimming elephant, as well as a night zoo offering insights into nocturnal animals.
This surge underscores the potent influence of animal celebrities on social media in boosting local tourism, with zoo officials striving to accommodate the influx while ensuring safety.
