CHONBURI, Thailand – Mae Mali, Thailand’s longest-lived female hippopotamus, celebrated her 59th birthday at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province on Sunday (Sep 8). Visitors, including zoo staff, tourists, and students, observed the occasion by presenting Mae Mali with a giant cake made of her favorite fruits and vegetables.
The celebration also featured donations to support Mae Mali’s care, including a 20,000-baht contribution towards her health and a new home. The event included an exhibition on her history, birthday wishes, and games. The zoo encourages further donations for Mae Mali’s new home, offering contributors a limited-edition birthday hat.
Mae Mali, who moved to Khao Kheow Open Zoo from Dusit Zoo in 2018, remains healthy. Born in the Netherlands and arrived in Thailand in 1967, she has had 14 offspring.
In addition to celebrating Mae Mali, visitors were drawn to the zoo’s newest attraction, Nong Moo Deng, a female pygmy hippopotamus born in July 2024. The young hippo, known for her playful nature, has quickly become a popular figure at the zoo. (NNT)
