Moo Deng, a baby hippo in Thailand who recently became an internet sensation, is drawing unexpectedly large crowds to the zoo where she lives, located two hours from the capital, Bangkok.

The cute baby hippo, whose name means “lively pig” in Thai, has amassed millions of social media followers who are captivated by her clumsy and charming antics, such as trying to nibble on her caretaker, even though she doesn’t yet have teeth.

“On regular weekdays and during the rainy season, when there’s less foot traffic, we usually get around 800 visitors a day,” said Narongwit Chodchoi, the director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi Province, south of Bangkok.

However, the zoo is now seeing between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors on weekdays and 20,000 over the weekend, with most of them lining up to see Moo Deng. “The Moo Deng fever means we need better organization so that all visitors get a chance to see her,” Chodchoi added.

This morning, the pink-cheeked hippo calf was happily munching on a bowl of vegetables and snacks. “I left my house in Bangkok at 6:30 a.m. today just to come to see Moo Deng,” said 45-year-old Ekkaphak Mahasawat. “I came here just for her.”

Moo Deng’s grandmother, Mali, recently celebrated her 59th birthday and is the oldest hippo in Thailand.

The Life of a Viral Hippo and the Dangers of Sudden Fame

The sweet baby hippo was born on July 10, and her first photos were shared with the public on July 25. The enthusiastic response from the public made zoo officials realize they had a viral star on their hands.

Since then, the zoo’s social media accounts have been regularly updated with photos and videos of the playful Moo Deng, often caught with her mouth open in her now-famous “surprised” expression. The posts have caused the zoo’s followers to skyrocket.

Dedicated accounts featuring the photogenic little hippo, as well as the zoo’s other hippos and capybaras, have also become wildly popular. One of these accounts, according to Time magazine, has over 2 million followers on TikTok and an additional 200,000 on Instagram.

Moo Deng’s daily routine is not particularly exciting: like any other baby hippo, she spends her days eating, sleeping, and playing. However, her irresistibly cute appearance has turned her into both a celebrity and an influencer.

The Thai embassy in Tokyo has posted about her, Sephora Thailand has shared blush recommendations mimicking her natural rosy hue, and a Bangkok café has created desserts in her likeness.

Since Moo Deng went viral, zoo attendance at Khao Kheow has doubled, and they’ve even started selling T-shirts featuring her image for her growing fan base.

However, with her newfound celebrity status comes some risk. Time has reported concerns over certain visitors’ behavior, with some trying to grab Moo Deng’s attention in inappropriate ways, putting her at risk.

In one social media video, Moo Deng is seen near the edge of her enclosure when a visitor suddenly throws water at her, startling her.

There have also been reports of visitors throwing bananas and shells at her, hoping to capture her surprised expression for a photo.

Last Thursday, Narongwit Chodchoi, the zoo’s director, urged visitors to act responsibly when coming to see Moo Deng, warning that there are cameras in place, and anyone caught throwing objects at the animals could face prosecution.

“These behaviors are not only cruel but also dangerous. We must protect these animals by ensuring they live in a safe and comfortable environment,” he said.