Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin ‘adopts’ viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng with $293,000 donation to Thai zoo
2024-12-27
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Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has become the "adoptive father" of viral pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng after donating at least 10,000,000 Thai baht (about $293,000 USD, or about 88 ETH) to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, which houses the artiodactyl. 
The donation will support "the operations of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, the Wildlife Sponsorship Program, and the development of a dedicated exhibit for Moo Deng and her family," according to a letter Buterin posted to X. 
The donation comes as a result of a visit Buterin made to the zoo and was made in recognition of the "wonderful hospitality of Thailand and the Thai people" during Ethereum events held in the country in 2024, including November's Devcon SEA conference. 
"On behalf of the whole Ethereum ecosystem, I would like to offer our thanks and a gesture of friendship to all of the country...What better way to do that than through a Christmas present to someone who is dear to all Thai people, Moo Deng, and who has become one of the most unexpected and important Thai celebrities on the world stage," Buterin wrote. 
"We look forward to working with you over the next 2 years for the benefit of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo community & all our visitors," the zoo's X account wrote on X in response to Buterin's donation. 
Moo Deng is a pygmy hippopotamus, an endangered species much smaller than its "common hippopotamus" relatives. Her name, chosen through a public poll, translates to "bouncy pork" or "bouncy pig" in English. The months-old animal shot to international fame in 2024, spurred by viral videos and images of the playful, energetic creature — especially those where she's seen attempting to bite her caretakers. 
Moo Deng also became a celebrity in the crypto sphere thanks to the prominent memecoin that bears her name, which was recently added to Coinbase's listing roadmap. The token currently has a market capitalization of over $270 million, down from its all-time high of over $614 million on Nov. 15, according to The Block's Moo Deng Price Page. 
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