A two-month old pygmy hippo has become an internet sensation – doubling the number of visitors at her zoo in Thailand.
But some cruel zoo visitors are now filming themselves abusing Moo Deng, or bouncing pig, with one even pouring water on her to wake her up.
Other videos on social media show visitors throwing objects at the baby hippo at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo which is located around 100km southeast of Bangkok.
The clips have sparked outrage online with the zoo’s director Narongwit Chodchoi also condemning the behaviour.
He warned those involved could now face legal consequences, adding that the treatment is not only ‘cruel but dangerous’.
Moo Deng has become an internet sensation – doubling the number of visitors at her zoo in Thailand
Moo Deng lies on the ground at Khao Kheow Open Zoo after becoming a viral sensation
A screenshot from a video on social media showing a visitor throw water over the baby hippo
Mr Narongwit said the zoo has installed CCTV cameras and that visitors should try and visit Moo Deng when she is awake.
Since Moo Deng was born in July, she has gone viral online with her miniature frame and podgy proportions inspiring a fervent following.
Even the Royal Thai Embassy featured the baby hippo on its social media channels.
Fans have made artwork and cakes in her image with one cosmetics chain also telling its customers to ‘wear your blush like a baby hippo’.
Moo Deng’s fame started when zookeepers at Khao Kheow Open Zoo started posting videos of her on their TikTok account which now has 2.5million followers.
She now has dozens of Instagram and Facebook pages documenting her daily life on social media.
Since Moo Deng was born in July, she has gone viral online with her miniature frame and podgy proportions inspiring a fervent following
One account on social media made an artist rendering of Jesus Christ holding her
A zoo worker plays with Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo
Atthapon Nundee, 31, a zookeeper at Khao Kheow Open Zoo said according to The Guardian: ‘The moment I saw Moo-Deng born, I set a goal to make her famous, but I never expected it would spread abroad.
‘I thought she could be famous in Thailand but not internationally.’
‘She is called ‘bouncy’ and she is quite ‘bouncy’ too,’ he added.
Mr Nundee explained that Moo Deng spends most of her time sleeping and only drinks her mother’s milk.
He said she already weighs 20kg and may start eating grass next month.
Pygmy hippos, otherwise known as dwarf hippos, are originally from West Africa.
They are currently classified as endangered and experts believe there are fewer than 3,000 left in the wild.
Pygmy hippos, otherwise known as dwarf hippos, are originally from West Africa
Moo Den walks with her mother Jona, 25 years old, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo
Moo Deng playfully bites a zookeeper’s leg after becoming an internet sensation