"MOO DENG" Trend - Psychology for Healing the Heart : Why Pygmy Hippo Baby Becomes a World-Class Phenomenon

"MOODENG," a pygmy hippo from Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province, is taking the world by storm in an unexpected way. Despite being just a baby hippo, this adorable animal has managed to create a global sensation, raising Thailand's profile in the realm of animal attractions.

According to Mr. Attaporn Sriren, Director of the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, the unexpected rise of "MOO DENG" can be traced back to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the lockdown, zoos were forced to close their doors, so Khao Kheow Open Zoo introduced a creative solution—the “Zoo to Home” program. This initiative, featuring live streams of zoo animals on YouTube, allowed people to stay connected to wildlife from their homes. One of the early stars was a small hippo named "KHAHMU," capturing people's hearts with its playful antics.

However, it wasn’t until the arrival of "MOO DENG," born in July, that the trend truly skyrocketed. Following the zoo’s tradition, the public was invited to vote for a name for the newborn hippo, with "MOO DENG" emerging as the favorite. Little did anyone know that this baby pygmy hippo would soon become a social media sensation, appealing to audiences far beyond Thailand.

What makes "MOO DENG" so special? It’s not just the charming appearance but also the way social media was leveraged. According to Mr. Attaporn, "MOO DENG" became a phenomenon as cute, behind-the-scenes content spread rapidly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Videos of the baby hippo sleeping, playing, and interacting with its caretakers generated widespread attention, prompting international media to take notice. Japanese media were the first to show interest, followed by global outlets such as AP, AFP, and BBC.

The story doesn’t end there. "MOO DENG" crossed over into pop culture, becoming a popular meme in various industries, from sports to entertainment. Europeans, in particular, adopted the baby hippo as an adorable icon, sharing its images and videos in creative, user-generated content (UGC). This further amplified its popularity, making "MOO DENG" a global sensation.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Sakulsri Srisarakham of Chulalongkorn University explains that "MOO DENG" taps into what’s called a "shared culture." Social media enables people worldwide to connect with animals like "MOO DENG," even if they cannot experience them firsthand. This shared emotional connection fosters a sense of collective care, as if viewers were raising the animal alongside the zoo.

Furthermore, Dr. Sakulsri points out that "MOO DENG’s" rise is part of the broader "Meme Culture," where people can interact with the baby hippo’s image in countless ways, from creating memes to even beauty bloggers applying makeup inspired by the bouncy piglet. This trend of UGC allows people to customize their interaction with "MOO DENG," making the phenomenon more personal and relatable.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo hopes to build on "MOO DENG’s" popularity to deepen the bond between visitors and the zoo’s animals. By following in the footsteps of other famous animals like "Mae Mali," the zoo aims to enhance the visitor experience and foster a long-lasting emotional connection with its wildlife.

What started as a local zoo initiative has turned into a global movement, proving that even the smallest creatures can have a massive impact, thanks to the power of social media and shared culture.

 

 

 

Source: Khao Kheow Open Zoo Facebook Page
KK Open Zoo Facebook Page