A cute video of the mascot hippo Moo Deng simulating an attack during a zoo training drill has gone viral and amused many people online.
The Khao Kheow Open Zoo, in Chonburi province near Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, published a short film of their emergency response drill on July 21.
According to the zoo, it is a rehearsal for a scenario involving an escaped animal.
A staff member was dressed as the zoo’s superstar, the pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng, and pretended to have escaped from her enclosure.
While on the run, the mascot Moo Deng attacked a member of staff, giving them her famous bite.
As staff members cordoned off the area, a team of veterinarians and animal care staff then rounded Moo Deng up and “sedated” her.
As the mascot passed out, a group of staff carried her onto a stretcher and into an ambulance.
They then ran a health check on her and made sure she was fit to be returned to her exhibit area.
The playful video has gained 53,000 reactions and 1,700 comments on the zoo’s social media page, which has amassed 560,000 followers.
Many said they were amused by the clip.
“I laughed throughout the whole clip,” one person said.
“It is so much fun. I want it to be on Netflix,” said another.
“Be careful. The hippo is a fierce species,” another joked.
“It is hot and tiring, but the staff in the Moo Deng suit is working hard,” said a fourth.
The real Moo Deng was in her enclosure for the duration of the drill, resting after her extravagant birthday celebration event, according to the Bangkok Post.
On July 10, Moo Deng celebrated her first birthday. The zoo held a four-day party for her and prepared a 20kg cake made from her favourite tropical fruits.
Moo Deng, whose name means “bouncy pork” in Thai, captured the hearts of fans all over the world shortly after her birth for her naughty and charming character.
Her carers have been posting moments of her trying to bite them, playing with a hosepipe, and mimicking her mother, 26-year-old Jona, who lives beside her, eating.
She has since inspired memes and products such as blushers and clothing.
Many people have also dressed as her to attend events, one of the most famous cosplayers being Chinese-American comedian and Saturday Night Live cast member Bowen Yang.
The drill featuring the Moo Deng mascot was part of the zoo’s annual safety plan, the zoo’s director, Narongwit Chodchoi, said.
Chodchoi said the drill “helps us build confidence among staff and assure our visitors that we are fully prepared for even the most unexpected situations”.
