Bangkok Post – Animal rights group calls for release of Moo Deng

Peta says zoo in Chon Buri exploiting world-well-known child hippo for revenue

The wildlife activism group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has accused Khao Kheow Open Zoo of exploiting the child pygmy hippo Moo Deng, saying she belongs within the wild.

“TikTok turned Moo Deng into a celebrity, but the reality is far from cute,” stated a publish on the Peta Facebook web page dated Sept 23. “The zoo in Thailand is exploiting her for profit, parading her around like an attraction. A hippo’s home is the wild. Boycott roadside zoos!”

The publish included a graphic with a message from Jason Baker, the group’s Asia senior vice chairman, who wrote, “There is nothing cute a couple of child born into imprisonment!

“Moo Deng should’ve been born in the wild, not bred for human entertainment.”

The publish additionally famous reviews that some guests who got here to see Moo Deng had thrown water and different objects at her, saying this put her in danger of hazard.

Officials of the zoo in Chon Buri made it clear that such behaviour wouldn’t be tolerated. If guests don’t cooperate, the zoo could take into account authorized motion to guard its animal, it stated.

The celeb hippopotamus has turn into a world web sensation since individuals first began noticing posts made by her keeper a couple of weeks in the past. Her fame has been a significant boon to Khao Kheow Open Zoo, with crowds ready hours to take part in 5-minute viewing periods.

A spokesperson advised the media that income from admission charges in September had quadrupled to 19.2 million baht, in comparison with the identical month final 12 months.

The recognition of the 2-month-outdated has additionally set off large gross sales of merchandise and a 24-hour livestream.

Many responses to the Peta publish have voiced disagreement, asserting that the zoo is contributing to the conservation of the endangered pygmy hippo.

One remark learn: “The pygmy hippo is an endangered animal. If you leave it in the wild, do you think it will be safe from enemies and hunters?”

Endangered pygmy hippos are native to West Africa, and there are about 2,000 to 2,500 left on the planet, in line with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Last 12 months, Peta accused the Thai coconut business of “kidnapping countless monkeys as babies and later forcing them to pick coconuts”. Industry executives have denied the allegations.