Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Adopts Viral Baby Hippo Moo Deng

Buterin donates $293,000 to Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo to improve the habitat of the internet-famous pygmy hippo and support zoo initiatives.

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, donated 10 million Thai baht ($293,000) to sponsor Moo Deng, a five-month-old pygmy hippo at Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
The donation will fund upgrades to Moo Deng's enclosure and other zoo improvements, enhancing animal welfare and visitor experience.
Moo Deng, whose name means 'bouncy pig' in Thai, became an internet sensation for her playful antics, boosting zoo attendance by 50%.
Buterin's gesture is a token of gratitude to Thailand, which recently hosted Ethereum's Devcon Sea blockchain conference.
The zoo plans to trademark Moo Deng's name to protect her image and ensure proceeds from merchandise support its operations and animal welfare programs.