Baby Hippo Sparks Conservation Movement

A small, cute baby hippo is going viral online – with keepers hoping it sparks a movement for greater conservation efforts for this endangered species.

“They are very endangered, but actually, with the proper enforcement and conservation plan in the wild – leave them alone, they can do really well,” says Edwin Wiek, founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation in Thailand.

The baby pygmy hippopotamus was born in a Thailand zoo just a couple of months ago. Named Moo Deng, the adorable hippo has already increased the zoo’s visitors from several hundred to thousands of people on an average weekday. Moo Deng is part of a nearly-extinct species of hippo, having only 2,000 individuals left in the wild. Though rare, scientists agree this species still has a chance should they be given the right opportunities. “I hope that the cuteness of Moo Deng will raise awareness for people to come and learn about [the species],” adds her zookeeper, Atthapon Nundee.