Thailand zoo's iconic hippo Moo Deng turning 1, celebrates with free admission for children from Jul. 10 to 13

Has it really only been a year since Moo Deng, the internet’s favourite pygmy hippopotamus, came into our lives?

It feels like we've known this criminally cute little hippo forever.

The iconic Moo Deng turns one on Jul. 10, and Khao Kheow Open Zoo is marking the milestone with a couple of special celebrations, according to Khaosod English.

Among the highlights: the zoo will be auctioning off Moo Deng’s beloved plastic basin, an item that has become almost as iconic as she is.

They’ll also be offering free admission for children from Jul. 10 to 13.

Need a refresher on why Moo Deng stole everyone's hearts? Here are some of her most unforgettable moments:

Internet sensation

Moo Deng first made her appearance on Jul. 25, 2024 when the zoo ran a local voting contest to name the hippo.

Participants came up with names, such as "Moo Deng" (Bouncy Pig), "Moo Daeng" (Red Pig), and "Moo Sab" (Minced Pig).

20,000 participants voted via the zoo's Facebook page, and the majority voted for the name "Moo Deng".

It was apparently chosen as it reflected Moo Deng's playful and energetic nature.

Here's her trying to escape her caretaker's clutches:

น้องหมูเด้ง เด้งสมชื่อ..😅🤣

.

🦛มาหาน้องหมูเด้งได้นะค้าบ

📍ที่สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว จ.ชลบุรี

>สวนสัตว์เปิดให้บริการทุกวัน (08.00-17.00 น.)

.#น้องหมูเด้ง#สมาชิกใหม่ #ลูกฮิปโปโปเตมัสแคระ#สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว #ชลบุรี pic.twitter.com/5eyaVKl7Ko

— สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว Khao Kheow Open Zoo (@KhaokheowZoo) August 21, 2024

And her dramatic facial expression when she was sprayed with water:

아기하마 표정이 찰쳐 pic.twitter.com/kc14iWAB71

— 오투/7서코 CI_09 (@O2H2_OH4) September 8, 2024

Memeing

The hippo continued capturing hearts with her various memeworthy expressions.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mothership on Earth (@mothershiponearth)

Cash hippo

As viral as she became, she also made bank for the zoo.

The then-two-month-old baby hippo brought the Khao Kheow Open Zoo ticket sales worth 12.97 million baht (S$470,000) in the first 19 days of September 2024.

A total of 81,786 people visited the zoo during this period, likely attracted by the juvenile hippo's countenance.

Has its own merch

On Sep. 8, Khao Kheow Open Zoo announced merchandise in the form of a clothing collection inspired by Moo Deng.

The collection consists of one short-sleeved shirt and one palazzo pants.

The clothes are adorned with images of the hippo's expressions and antics.

There also appears to be a special collection of merchandise for her birthday.

Predicted Trump's win

Moo Deng also predicted that U.S. President Donald Trump would win the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which took place on Nov. 5, 2024.

In a video uploaded by the zoo, Moo Deng's zoo keeper prepared two fruit bowls with the names of the two U.S. presidential candidates, Trump and then Vice President Kamala Harris.

The keeper then placed the two fruit bowls in the middle of Moo Deng's enclosure.

The video then cuts to the little hippo enjoying the fruit bowl with Trump's name, casting its prediction.

ใครได้เป็นประธานาธิบดีอเมริกา อีก 48 ชั่วโมง รู้กัน..

เด้งขอบคุณที่เคยโหวตให้นะคะ แต่ด้วยภารกิจโชว์ตัว พรีเซนเตอร์สินค้า เกือบ 70 ราย ทำให้ตอนนี้ยุ่งมาก ไม่มีเวลาเลย.. จึงขอสละสิทธิ์ แล้วกัน

โอกาส นี้เด้งขอทำนายทายเลือกให้ผู้ชนะ เป็นฝ่ายชาย ( ห้ามเดิมพัน เล่นการพนันเด็ดขาด… https://t.co/ZcPfmNvIkc pic.twitter.com/r8NsEbUmhM

— สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว Khao Kheow Open Zoo (@KhaokheowZoo) November 4, 2024

Top photos from Khamoo.andthegang/X