On March 18, 2026, Thai police arrested a man after he climbed into the enclosure of pygmy hippo Moo Deng — the animal that has taken social media by storm — at Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
According to zoo management, the incident occurred on the evening of March 17 when no visitors were present and staff had temporarily stepped away. Security cameras recorded a man wearing a blue tank top, a beanie, and sunglasses, carrying a device to film or photograph Moo Deng and her mother, Jona.
The man stood inside the enclosure for about 1–2 minutes before being detected. He did not attempt to flee, and authorities were called in and made the arrest on the spot.
Police initially charged him with trespassing. The suspect’s identity has not been released, and he has been released on bail while the prosecution and investigation continue.
The zoo confirmed that neither animal was touched but showed signs of being startled by the incident. Veterinarians are monitoring them to ensure they remain stable.
Moo Deng became an internet sensation in 2024 thanks to viral videos, attracting massive numbers of visitors both within and outside Thailand — rivaling the attention netizens gave to the case of a raccoon secretly living in a Cincinnati TV station.
Zoo management issued a clear warning: breaking into animal enclosures is not only illegal but also directly endangers both humans and animals, especially as dangerous criminal incidents in various places have led to tightened security measures.
