A two-month-old pygmy hippo has become an internet sensation, with the number of visitors to her zoo in Thailand doubling.
But now, some cruel zoo visitors are filming themselves abusing Moo Deng, or the bouncing pig, one of whom even throws water on her to wake her up.
Other videos on social media show visitors throwing objects at baby hippos at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, located about 100 km (62 miles) southeast of Bangkok.
The clips have caused outrage online, with the zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoi, also condemning the behavior.
He warned that those involved could now face legal consequences, adding that the treatment was not only “cruel but also dangerous”.
Moo Deng has become an internet sensation: she has doubled the number of visitors to her zoo in Thailand
Moo Deng lies on the ground at Khao Kheow Open Zoo after becoming a viral sensation
A screenshot from a video on social media showing a visitor throwing water on the baby hippo
Mr Narongwit said the zoo has installed surveillance cameras and visitors should check on Moo Deng when she is awake.
Since Moo Deng was born in July, she has gone viral online with her diminutive figure and plump proportions, earning her an enthusiastic following.
Even the Thai embassy paid attention to the baby hippo on its social media channels.
Fans have created artwork and cakes featuring her image, and a cosmetics chain is urging customers to ‘wear your blush like a baby hippo’.
Moo Deng rose to fame when keepers at Khao Kheow Open Zoo began posting videos of her to their TikTok account, which now has 2.5 million followers.
She now has dozens of Instagram and Facebook pages where she documents her daily life on social media.
Since Moo Deng was born in July, she has gone viral online with her miniature body and plump proportions, inspiring an enthusiastic following
One social media account created an artistic representation of Jesus Christ holding her
A zoo employee plays with Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo
Atthapon Nundee, 31, a keeper at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, was quoted as saying by The Guardian: “When I saw Moo-Deng being born, I wanted to make her famous right away. But I never expected it to spread abroad.
“I thought she would become famous in Thailand, but not internationally.”
“She’s called ‘bouncy’ and she is quite ‘bouncy’,” he added.
Mr. Nudee explained that Moo Deng spends most of her time sleeping and only drinks her mother’s milk.
He said she already weighs 20 kg and that next month she might start eating grass.
Pygmy hippos, also known as pygmy hippos, are native to West Africa.
They are currently considered endangered, with experts estimating that there are only about 3,000 individuals left in the wild.
Pygmy hippos, also known as pygmy hippos, are native to West Africa
Moo Den walks with her mother Jona, 25 years old, at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo
Moo Deng playfully bites zookeeper’s leg after becoming an internet sensation