A man was arrested after he climbed into the enclosure of Moo Deng, a popular pygmy hippo, zoo officials said. The incident occurred Tuesday evening at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, the zoo’s director Narongwit Chodchoy said, when a keeper was away and no other visitors were present.
Security footage circulating online shows a man in a black beanie, sunglasses, a green tank top and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother Jona while holding a tablet, apparently taking photos or recording. He stayed inside the enclosure for a minute or two before staff noticed him; he did not try to flee while the zoo called police.
Moo Deng rose to fame after her 2024 birth, when a keeper posted pictures and videos that drew large crowds from Thailand and abroad eager to see and film her. Police initially charged the man with trespassing and the investigation is ongoing; the zoo said it intends to pursue all available legal action. Authorities have not identified the suspect, who has since been released on bail, Narongwit said.
Neither hippo was harmed—the man did not attempt to touch them—but both appeared slightly startled and will be closely monitored by a veterinarian, the zoo said in a statement on its Facebook page. The zoo also urged visitors to strictly follow staff rules and instructions for everyone’s safety.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo is about 100 kilometres southeast of Bangkok, covers roughly 800 hectares, and houses more than 2,000 animals.
