A common simile used to describe celebrities is that they are like zoo animals under the scrutiny of paparazzi lenses. In Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Thailand, this comparison takes on a literal meaning. At just five months old, Moo Deng, a female pygmy hippopotamus, has gained a level of fame that many artists aspire to achieve in a lifetime.
She was born on July 10, 2024, as one of seven baby hippos at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. The name Moo Deng, from Thai, translates to bouncy pork. The pygmy hippopotamus won the world’s hearts when photos of her hit the internet. Her antics have landed her features in CNN, Vogue, BBC, TIME, Forbes, and The New York Times.
Moo Deng’s viral fame has even extended to the fashion world, with Sephora Thailand using her image in a campaign. Sephora Thailand posted an advertisement on Instagram to encourage shoppers to “wear your blush like a baby hippo”. The post featured blushes from brands like Makeup By Mario and Rare Beauty. This sparked a TikTok trend called Moo Deng Makeup.
In a video with over nine million views, beauty influencer and TikToker, Mei Pang says as she does the Moo Deng Makeup, “She has everything: dewy skin, a great halo eye and a zest for life.”
However, the fame washed in more than just love and attention. She had been harassed by some visitors which led to an increase in security. Another disadvantage of her status is she is forced to make political statements. So when she predicted that Donald Trump would win the 2024 elections, the halo effect was broken.
A tweet with over 19,000 likes read, “Never trusted this oversized rat.” Like dominoes falling, Deng began to experience the steps of being cancelled. A fatal step is people looked into her past and discovered that her affinity for Trump is in line with her heritage, as a Nigerian.
ARE THERE MORE MOO DENG’S CRAWLING:
Moo Deng cut out at Book Expo Thailand. (Photography by By Chainwit).
Nigerians are known lovers of the Presidential Elect, Donald Trump, with religious figures often singing his praises. Another known song in Nigeria is the one for the Hippopotamus, which goes,
H-I-P for the Hip for the Hip ooo, P-O-P-O, for the Hippopo, and T-A-M-U-S, for the Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus!
Kids are often taught a Hippopotamus jingle in nursery and primary schools. Learning how to spell the polysyllabic word at a young age is required. Furthermore, if you asked the average Nigerian if there are hippos in Nigeria, you’d often have a negative response. There is some truth to this response as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that there are only about 100 hippos in Nigeria.
The Nigerian terrains were once populated with Hippopotamuses. However, there is an invisible thread linking the decline in Nigeria’s hippopotamus population to the leading Google search, “Are hippopotamuses edible?” Only second to “Are hippopotamuses dangerous?”
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS IN NIGERIA:
Moo deng. Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters.
The pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), a smaller relative of the common hippopotamus, is native to West Africa, including Nigeria. However, due to a combination of factors, including habitat loss and hunting, the Nigerian pygmy hippopotamus subspecies is now endangered.
The existence of the Nigerian pygmy hippopotamus was first documented in the 20th century. However, little is known about its historical population size or distribution within Nigeria due to its elusive nature and limited research.
The decline of the Nigerian pygmy hippopotamus is largely attributed to a combination of factors. Deforestation and agricultural expansion led to the destruction of their forested habitats. The pygmy hippopotamus was hunted for its meat and hides, further contributing to population decline. Insufficient conservation efforts and a lack of protected areas hindered the species’ survival.
There is a shrouded mystery surrounding the surviving hippopotamus in West Africa. When asked, Prof. Edem A. Eniang expressed the modern-day existence of the Pygmy Hippopotamus is unknown. “The last Pigmy Hippopotamus I ever saw in Nigeria was at the Jos Wildlife Park nearly a decade ago.”
He believes it would be too hasty to conclude that the species is locally extinct like several sites state. “Perhaps a careful search using advanced technologies, for example, camera traps and drones or even the use of E-DNA to survey key habitats, especially in the Niger delta of Nigeria may help rediscover the species.”
Prof. Eniang is the Head of the Wildlife Ecology Unit in the Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State. He works on Wildlife and Protected Areas Management, Primates conservation, Herpetology and Marine Mammals Conservation in aspects dealing with Bushmeat Crises and Community Livelihoods in Nigeria.
Wikipedia reports that the Nigerian pygmy hippopotamus, a distinct subspecies (C. liberiensis heslopi), is believed to be extinct. Unlike its Liberian counterpart, it was never studied or captured alive. All existing research and zoo specimens are based on the Liberian subspecies.
Historically, this nocturnal creature inhabited the Niger River, Delta, particularly near Port Harcourt, Rivers State. However, reliable sightings ceased after the early 1940s when British colonial officer Ian Heslop collected museum specimens.
Baby pygmy hippo. © Cyril Ruoso / Nature Picture Library.
The Nigerian pygmy hippopotamus faced significant geographical challenges due to its isolation from the Liberian population, which is located over 1,800 kilometres away, separated by the vast expanse of the Dahomey Gap savanna. In the 1940s, Heslop estimated that the population consisted of no more than 30 individuals, highlighting the precarious existence of this species.
While local populations in Rivers, Imo, and Bayelsa states retain knowledge of the species’ former presence, a comprehensive understanding of its history remains limited. The four skulls collected by Heslop and housed at the British Museum of Natural History provide crucial insights into the physical characteristics of this lost subspecies.
No reliable evidence of their existence has been reported, leading experts to believe that this unique subspecies has been lost forever.
WHAT ABOUT THE PYGMY HIPPOS IN OTHER WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES?
According to Fauna-Flora.org, “The vast bulk – in both senses – of the world’s remaining pygmy hippos are found in Liberia, although smaller populations still survive across the border in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone.”
In 2013, Liberia became the first country to create a national conservation strategy for the pygmy hippopotamus, thanks to the support of the non-profit organisation Fauna & Flora International. Research conducted since then has highlighted Sapo National Park, which contains the largest remaining section of the Upper Guinean forest ecosystem, as a vital refuge for this species.
Once a thriving species in its native habitats, the pygmy hippopotamus now faces an uncertain future, primarily due to habitat loss, hunting, and insufficient conservation efforts. The stark contrast between the newfound fame of figures like Moo Deng and the silent plight of her endangered counterparts highlights the disparate realities of wildlife in the modern world.
HOW TO SAVE THE PYMGY HIPPOS:
Moo Deng found a stroke of luck in an unexpected way, as she currently resides in a zoo located on the other side of the globe. This unique environment provides her with a secure habitat, unlike the uncertain fate faced by many of her wild counterparts.
The pygmy populations are under severe threat, and organisations like Fauna-Flora.org are stepping in to fight against their potential extirpation. Their dedicated efforts focus on conservation and advocacy, aiming to protect both the people and the rich biodiversity of the region.
Donations play a crucial role in sustaining these initiatives, helping to fund programs that promote awareness, protect natural habitats, and support local communities. With the assistance of generous donors, Fauna-Flora.org works tirelessly to ensure that both the pygmies and their ecosystems can thrive for generations to come. Click here to save the pygmy hippopotamus.