"Justice for Moo Deng" — Internet reacts to allegations of viral pygmy hippo being manhandled in Thai zoo

The internet has been flooded with photos and videos of a two-month-old pygmy hippo named Moo Deng. She has gained massive popularity and now people from all over the world are visiting Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo to witness her in her enclosure.

However, many claim that due to her popularity, the baby hippo is being allegedly manhandled. An X user recently posted tweets claiming that zoo keepers were seen irritating the baby hippo for reactions.

The X user went on to bash the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, claiming that they had a reputation for abusing the animals for clout. In one of the tweets, the X user wrote:

"Moo Deng's fame has also caused some problems. Staff are regularly seen "playing" with her and irritating her for reactions. There are definitely concerns as to whether she is handled way too much for the sake of clout."

Many claim that zoo keepers were seen irritating the baby hippo for reactions. (Image via @doggtism/X)

The X user further called out several visitors who had been seen throwing water and other objects at the baby hippo to make her react.

In response to these posts and allegations, netizens from all over the world are demanding better living conditions for the baby hippo. Many people are tweeting "Justice for Moo Deng" in their posts.

"Pretty obvious all the videos are of the keeper just pissing her off or manhandling her but everyone thinks it’s cute so they don’t care," explained an X user.

"Yeah, first one was cute, second one ok, then when you see it's systematical mistreatment is infuriating," observed another netizen on X.

While several netizens called out the zoo authorities and claimed that baby hippo was getting mistreated, others had a different outlook. An X user tweeted:

"There's no such thing as manhandling a Hippo. They destroy humans like they're breakfast."

"Go work at the zoo and let the animal be territorial maybe you’ll quit the next month with a missing leg," commented a netizen.

"To be fair, the zoo needs to do it so when Moo Deng becomes an adult, she wouldn't become so territorial," added another user.

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Everything to know about Moo Deng

Moo Deng, the two-month-old hippo, was born on June 10 to Tony and Jona. Her name translates to "bouncy pork” in Thai. The young hippo has two siblings and two half-siblings. She became famous when the zoo authorities shared her photos on their official Facebook page.

Now she has gained so much fame that a crypto token attached to her likeness was made. A cryptocurrency user recently alleged that he became a millionaire in just a week after investing about $1,300 in the Moo Deng meme coin.

Narongwit Chotchoi, Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Sriracha has urged the visitors to follow the rules and not disturb the baby hippo. This appeal comes in light of some instances where visitors were seen disturbing the baby hippo.

As per Pattaya Mail, the zoo has set up surveillance cameras and increased staff presence during peak times. The zoo authorities told the press that they would be taking legal action against anyone who mistreats the animals.