Concerns about the living conditions of the famous hippo Moo Deng have sparked controversy on social media, forcing zoos in Thailand to speak out about animal welfare.
Moo Deng the hippo attracts the attention of tourists thanks to his adorable appearance and expressions. Photo: Kha Moo and the Gang.
A social media post by conservationist Psi Scott sparked debate when he questioned the living conditions of Moo Deng, the famous pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand.
Psi Scott, whose Thai name is Siranat Scott, posted on the X platform after seeing new images of Moo Deng's enclosures and pond.
"I recently saw photos of Moo Deng's breeding grounds and ponds. It's sad. Despite generating significant revenue, it's ultimately treated like a commodity," he wrote, suggesting that the hippos don't seem to be living in conditions commensurate with the value they create.
The post quickly garnered millions of views and sparked a wave of debate on social media about the line between animal welfare and commercial gain, Khaosod English wrote.
In response to the growing backlash, Psi Scott clarified: "I don't want people to misunderstand. I'm not criticizing the caregivers. What I want to say is that animals that bring prestige to the country need living conditions and space that are worthy of the value they create," he said, emphasizing that the rights of captive animals are just as important as those of wild animals.
Moo Deng is being kept at Khao Kheow Zoo in Thailand. Photo: Kha Moo and the Gang.
Amidst the controversy, the Facebook page "Kha Moo and the Gang" – representing Moo Deng's care team – urged the public not to take the matter too far. According to the page, the zoo had planned to build the "Hippopotamus Village" before Moo Deng became famous.
"This plan was already in place. Even without Moo Deng, we would still develop this area. Of course, we also hope Moo Deng will soon have a new home," the announcement stated.
Narongwit Chotchoi, director of Khao Kheow Zoo, explained that the images circulating online may only have captured a time before the water in the enclosure was cleaned. He said that hippos defecating in the water is a natural behavior to mark their territory, and the enclosure is cleaned every morning as part of the proper care procedures.
He stated that the "Hippopotamus Village" project has been designed and approved by the zoo management, but the approximately 75 million baht budget is still awaiting approval for the 2027 fiscal year. The project is expected to be built on an area of about 10 rai (approximately 1.6 hectares), capable of housing 6 pygmy hippos and 7 regular hippos.
The debate surrounding Moo Deng continues to spread online, reflecting larger questions about animal welfare and public expectations of zoo "stars" in the age of social media.