Conservationist questions welfare of viral hippo Moo Deng, zoo responds

2026-02-16 - 11:16

CHON BURI — A social media post by conservationist Psi Scott has sparked heated debate online after he questioned the living conditions of Moo Deng, a popular pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Psi Scott, whose Thai name is Siranat Scott, posted on X after seeing recent images of Moo Deng’s enclosure and pool. In his post, he wrote that he felt saddened by what he saw, saying the animal had generated significant income but appeared to have a living environment that did not reflect her value. “Recently I saw photos of Moodeng’s current enclosure and pool. It’s truly sad. Despite generating so much income, in the end she is just a business in the eyes of people around her,” he wrote.