Man arrested after 'climbing into enclosure' of viral Moo Deng pygmy hippo at Thai zoo
The man was released on bail pending investigation
A man has been arrested after he was caught climbing into the hippo enclosure of a Thai zoo where the social media sensation Moo Deng lives.
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The suspect is believed to have jumped over a barrier at Khao Kheow Open Zoo while a keeper was away, according to the zoo director.
Video footage from OnePlanetThailand shows the man, dressed in a green tank top and brown shorts with a beanie hat and sunglasses, holding what appears to be a tablet while taking photographs or videos.
He stood just yards away from Moo Deng and her mother Jona, who were left "slightly startled."
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The zoo's director, Narongwit Chodchoy, said the man remained inside the enclosure for around two minutes before staff noticed him, but added he did not attempt to flee when police were called.
The viral hippo gained a cult following after her birth in 2024, after her keeper shared pictures and videos of her clumsy behaviour on social media.
Its name, Mo Deng, translates as "bouncy pig."
Large crowds from Thailand and further afield have travelled to the zoo to visit the enclosure.
In a statement, the zoo said: "The individual entered a restricted animal area."
It added it would "pursue legal action without exception" and added that Moo Deng was unharmed but "slightly startled” by the incident.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo is located around 60 miles south-east of Bangkok, and is home to more than 2,000 animals across 2,000 acres of land.
Police initially charged the man, who has not been identified, with trespassing but the investigation remains ongoing.
A spokesperson for the zoo added that the pair would be monitored closely by a vet.
It also urged visitors to "strictly follow all rules and instructions from staff for the safety of both themselves and the wildlife."