PUBLISHED: 11 Oct 2024 at 11:38
Moo Deng, the beloved pygmy hippo, recently marked her three-month milestone, gaining an impressive 10 kilograms since birth.
During her latest veterinary checkup, Moo Deng weighed in at 32.7 kg, a significant increase from her weight of 22 kg at two months old.
The zoo playfully engaged with its audience, asking, “Is she okay to be on a menu?” while reassuring everyone about Moo Deng’s health, alongside a nostalgic photo of her being breastfed by her mother, Jona, who is 25 years old.
As her fame continues to rise, eager visitors flocked to witness her charm at the zoo located in Sri Racha district, Chon Buri. Although she was peacefully sleeping at 8:30 AM, staff noted her uplifting signs, such as the gentle opening of her eyes.
Moo Deng with her mother Jona on her first day.
Adult pygmy hippos typically weigh between 160 to 270 kg and can reach a height of 75 to 100 cm at the shoulder, measuring 150 to 175 cm in length. Their lifespan in captivity may range from 30 to 55 years.
With fewer than 2,500 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild, they are classified as a critically endangered species, facing threats primarily from habitat destruction due to logging, mining, and agricultural practices.
