A Thai court fined a man 10,000 baht (£233) for entering the enclosure of pygmy hippo Moo Deng at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, on 17 March 2026, according to court records. 7). The man climbed over a barrier into the enclosure shared by Moo Deng and her mother Jona, entering while a keeper was absent and no other visitors were present, staying for about two minutes before staff noticed, zoo director Narongwit Chodchoy said.
He did not attempt to flee as the zoo contacted police. Security footage shows the man in a black beanie, sunglasses, green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and Jona while holding a tablet, seemingly recording, according to zoo officials. Moo Deng and Jona were unharmed but slightly startled and under veterinary observation after the encounter, the zoo's official Facebook page reported.
The zoo reiterated that climbing or entering animal enclosures is forbidden. According to Narongwit Chodchoy, the zoo increased security patrols to deter would-be intruders after the incident and will train staff on what to do if there are intruders, in addition to training for animal escapes. Moo Deng was born in 2024 at Khao Kheow Open Zoo and became a global internet sensation within weeks.
On peak days, more than 12,000 people visited the zoo to see Moo Deng, prompting time limits and increased crowd management. The man's motive for entering the enclosure and his identity have not been publicly disclosed, nor have specific security measures beyond increased patrols. The current condition of Moo Deng and Jona after veterinary observation is also unknown.