@crittersandcultures: Reposting from @nytimes 📰 — Moo Deng, the pygmy hippopotamus who became an online sensation, just celebrated her first birthday at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand! 🎉🦛💚 Unlike her giant hippo relatives, pygmy hippos are rare and endangered — with fewer than 3,000 left in the wild, mostly in the forests and swamps of West Africa. Every birth in captivity is an important step toward protecting the species. Moo Deng’s playful personality and endearing avocado-like charm captured hearts around the world, but her story also reminds us of the crucial role zoos play in conservation and education. Beyond the cuteness, she represents hope for a species fighting for survival. 🌍✨ Here’s to Moo Deng’s milestone — may her story inspire us to care for the many other creatures who quietly depend on us for their future. #MooDeng #PygmyHippo #WildlifeConservation #CrittersAndCultures #EndangeredSpecies #ZooConservation #AnimalStories #HopeForWildlife #ThailandZoo

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Thursday 28 August 2025 17:34:37 GMT