Viral “Dark Truth” About Thailand’s Moo Deng Sparks Heated Debate

Netizens around the world have chimed in.
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Koreaboo

If you have been online in the last few weeks, you have likely seen something about Moo Deng.

Moo Deng is a baby pygmy hippo living at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand who has become an internet sensation. Clips of the adorable hippo often go viral, and netizens worldwide enjoy the memes made from her reactions to different things happening in her environment.

With worldwide attention placed on Moo Deng, it is unsurprising that some have chimed in on the animal’s treatment, including a clip that has gone viral on X.

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Moo Deng | @kkopzoo/X

In a TikTok video, a woman named Jennifer (@JenniferWVegan) shares what she calls a “dark truth” about Moo Deng’s situation. She shares her opinion about animals being bred in captivity for “social media views” and suggests that more money be spent conserving wildlife in their habitats.

She follows up by saying that the conditions at the zoo are not ideal for Moo Deng or her months and urges individuals not to visit zoos. A reposting earned over 4 million views.

Pygmy hippos are an endangered species due to their habitats being destroyed and are illegally hunted in the wild.

There is some truth to her statement—though it is not related to the zoo’s treatment of the animal. Recently, Khao Kheow Open Zoo had to issue a warning to visitors hoping to record their own viral moment of Moo Deng by harassing her and threatening legal action.

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| | @kkopzoo/X

As for the other ideas in the video, netizens have presented opposing facts to negate them.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo is also a research facility that actively participates in efforts to conserve multiple species through captive breeding and monitoring in their natural habitats. The zoo works with other conservation organizations worldwide, including the Smithsonian National Zoo Park Conservation & Research Center.

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Netizens shared these points and others from a background in conservation to negate the things said in the viral video.

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