Attaporn Sriheran, director of the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand (ZPOT), believes:Moo Deng“The fever will last for at least three months Khao Kheow Open Zoo before the Baby hippo is growing in size and losing appeal to children and the media.

Mr Attaporn said ZPOT already has plans to foster more baby animals when the “Moo Deng” fever subsides, but he declined to reveal which baby animals will be fostered next.

The two-month-old pygmy hippopotamus became a magnet last weekend, attracting hordes of curious visitors to the zoo in Si Racha district of Chon Buri.

“The number of Thai and foreign visitors rose from around 2,000 to 3,000 to 15,000 on Saturday compared to the same period last year.”

“I believe the number of visitors (coming to the zoo) will continue to increase in the next three months, both on weekdays and weekends, as they are eager to catch a glimpse of this adorable, small and lively animal,” said Mr Attaporn.

He said the zoo is concerned about the convenience and safety of visitors and is now open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, instead of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tourists may queue up to buy tickets to the zoo during the new opening hours, he said.

Moo Deng becomes a global media sensation and attracts a growing crowd of international fans. Moo Deng’s name means “jumping pig” in Thai and is also a common pork dish known for its chewiness.

The name was decided in a poll in August by about 20,000 Facebook users.

She was born on July 10 to Jona and Tony, who had two children before her, Moo Toon and Moo Warn, both of whom are also named after dishes on the Thai menu.

Mr Attaporn said he had to thank Moo Deng’s caregiver for opening a Facebook page called “Ka Moo and the Gang”. He said the page had posted photos of the baby hippo’s development since its birth until the story gained widespread popularity and public support.

Mr Attaporn said the baby hippo has no teeth yet. Its mother is still breastfeeding it. When it grows up, it will eat grass and fruit, which will cost about 300 to 400 baht a day.

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