'Moo Deng' escapes from enclosure as part of Thai zoo's emergency response drill

As part of their elaborate emergency response drill on Jul. 21, the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, enlisted the help of a Moo Deng mascot to practice their emergency response procedures.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is the home of Moo Deng, and is roughly a two-hour drive from Bangkok.

A staff member cosplayed as "Moo Deng"

According to Bangkok Post, the drill aimed to simulate the zoo's response to a large animal escape, testing real-time protocols and ensuring that all the departments could work together effectively under high-pressure.

The drill involved a mock escape of "Moo Deng", with one of the staff members donning a hippo costume and pretending to be the pygmy hippo.

Emergency response drill procedures

Bangkok Post reported that during the drill, the staff responded swiftly, adhering to the zoo's command hierarchy to contain the situation.

They promptly initiated lockdown protocols and successfully guided the "escaped Moo Deng" back to its enclosure.

The drill also involved a staged scenario where one member of the team was "attacked" and sustained a minor wound.

The zoo's emergency medical team treated the "injury" on-site and also arranged a mock hospital transfer.

At the same time, the veterinary team administered a sedative on "Moo Deng" to calm the hippo down and conducted a routine health-check before returning the hippo back to its enclosure safely.

The director of the zoo, Narongwit Chodchoy, as reported in Thai Enquirer, said that the drill was a vital part of the zoo's 2025 safety plan to ensure the safety of the staff and visitors.

He added that such drills help to "build confidence among staff and assure [their] visitors that [they are] fully prepared for even the most unexpected situations", Bangkok Post reported.

Watch the full video of the drill here.

Who is Moo Deng?

Moo Deng is a pygmy hippopotamus who skyrocketed to internet stardom ever since she went viral on TikTok in 2024.

Moo Deng, whose name translates to "bouncy pork", has drawn thousands of fans with her playful and energetic nature.

Her videos have racked up millions of views on TikTok.

Here's one of her looking sleepy:

@khamoo.andthegang รุ่นนี้หัวเเล้วตัวเลย #hippo #hippo #ขาหมูแอนด์เดอะแก๊ง ♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ - ขาหมู แอนด์เดอะแก๊ง

And here's another one of her trying to get her mother's attention:

@khamoo.andthegang ไม่อยากได้ใหม่หลอก #hippo #หมูเด้งจะเด้งกี่โมง #ขาหมูแอนด์เดอะแก๊ง ♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ - ไข่ตุ๋นทำไร

The pygmy hippo recently turned one-year-old on Jul. 10 and the zoo celebrated her birthday with a four-day festival.

Highlights of the festival included an auction for Moo Deng's beloved plastic basin, a lecture on "Moo Deng's cheekiness", as well as free admission to the zoo for children during those four days.

Top photos via Khao Kheow Open Zoo/Facebook