KHAO KHEOW OPEN ZOO — A man was arrested Tuesday evening after climbing into the enclosure of Moo Deng, a pygmy hippo, at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. The man entered the enclosure while a keeper was away and no other visitors were present.

Security footage shows a man wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, a green tank top, and brown shorts approaching Moo Deng and her mother Jona while holding a tablet. The man remained inside the enclosure for a minute or two before staff noticed him.

Zoo staff called the police once they noticed the man in the enclosure, and the man did not attempt to flee while the zoo called the police. Police initially charged the man with trespassing, and he was released on bail. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Neither hippo was harmed or touched by the man, though both hippos appeared slightly startled by the encounter. A veterinarian will monitor the hippos closely after the incident. The zoo intends to pursue all available legal action against the man.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo said, "Strictly follow all rules and instructions from staff for the safety of both themselves and the wildlife." The zoo is located about 100 kilometers southeast of Bangkok and sits on 800 hectares of land. The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals.

Moo Deng became a social media sensation shortly after her birth in 2024 when a zoo keeper shared pictures and videos of her on social media. Since becoming a social media sensation, Moo Deng has drawn large crowds from Thailand and abroad. Jona is the mother of Moo Deng. Narongwit Chodchoy is the director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo.