Man Arrested in Thailand for Trespassing into Enclosure of Internet-Famous Hippo Moo Deng

Odaily News: A man was arrested for trespassing into the enclosure of the internet-famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. The zoo stated in a Facebook post on March 17 that social media images showed an intruder entering Moo Deng's enclosure around 5 p.m. that day. The man was subsequently subdued by security personnel and handed over to the police. The zoo assured the public that Moo Deng and the other hippos were unharmed but may have been slightly startled by the close encounter with a stranger. The veterinary team will closely monitor the animals' behavioral conditions.

Live footage from the enclosure on YouTube showed the man jumping into the enclosure and approaching the hippo group at 5:17 p.m., holding a tablet to film. He reached out to try to touch a hippo but quickly withdrew his hand. More than a minute later, he climbed out of the enclosure with the assistance of another person.

Moo Deng, born on July 10, 2024, quickly gained popularity online. Its name means "bouncy pig" in Thai. The zoo is located in Chonburi Province, Thailand, approximately a two-hour drive from Bangkok.