On July 10, the famous pygmy hippo “Moo Deng” at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province, Thailand, celebrated his first birthday surrounded by thousands of visitors flocking to the zoo for the occasion.
According to reports from the Associated Press, the zoo planned a four-day celebration for “Moo Deng” to mark his first year of life. By noon on July 10, the number of visitors to the zoo had already reached up to 12,000 people.
Many visitors took photos of the young hippo and sang “Happy Birthday” while the zoo staff prepared a birthday cake made of various fruits and vegetables for “Moo Deng and his mother to enjoy by the pond.
Despite the visitors calling out to “Moo Deng” to grab his attention, he remained calmly soaking in the pond within his enclosure.
One of “Moo Deng’s” devoted fans, Molly Swindall, traveled all the way from New York, USA to Thailand on a short holiday specifically to participate in the celebration. She expressed her joy at seeing “Moo Deng” unchanged and bringing happiness to people worldwide.
Swindall, a 24-year-old flight attendant, mentioned that in a world full of challenges, “Moo Deng” brings immense joy to people and witnessing him again was heartwarming. This marked Swindall’s third visit to Thailand to see “Moo Deng,” whom she adores.
Thea Chavez, a flight attendant from Houston, Texas, also flew to Thailand to celebrate “Moo Deng’s” birthday, expressing gratitude for the happiness he brings and wishing him many more joyful years ahead.
Rathapat Sripisit, a Thai woman, set up a tent nearby to join in the celebration for “Moo Deng.” She expressed delight in seeing people from different countries coming together to celebrate with them.
After “Moo Deng” gained fame worldwide following his birth last year, the zoo shared images and videos on social media, rapidly capturing the hearts of many fans.
Similar to human celebrities, “Moo Deng” now boasts multiple fan pages on social media platforms where fans share every moment of his public appearances through photos and videos. He has even been registered as a trademark in Thailand due to his immense popularity.
In addition, a range of merchandise related to “Moo Deng” has been released, including clothing, plush toys, and even his own cryptocurrency.
The zoo director, Narongwit Chodchoy, mentioned that due to “Moo Deng’s” popularity, the number of visitors has quadrupled.
Pygmy hippos like “Moo Deng” typically live up to 50 years, giving his fans many more chances to celebrate with him in the future, a fortunate opportunity for them.
In the journey to celebrate the joyous occasion, visitors from around the world showed their love for “Moo Deng,” creating a memorable event full of happiness and togetherness.