When Molly Swindall first saw a video of baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng on social media, it was love at first sight. Captivated by the hippo’s playful energy and adorable appearance, 30-year-old Swindall decided to do what many would find unthinkable: fly across the globe to see Moo Deng in person at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
“I thought she was absolutely hysterical,” Swindall told CNN Travel. “She’s just a little bright spot in the world.”
Moo Deng’s fame skyrocketed online, with keepers at the zoo sharing clips of her antics, eventually turning her into an internet sensation. Her status as a viral icon was sealed when she was featured in a skit on Saturday Night Live. While most of Moo Deng’s fans are content to watch her from afar, Swindall, a passionate animal lover and adventurer, couldn’t resist the urge to meet the hippo.
The Journey to Thailand
Swindall’s decision to travel from New York to Thailand was born out of her love for animals and a philosophy of living life to the fullest. Her father’s unexpected death six years ago prompted her to embrace adventure and spontaneity. “I’m always going to live my life to the fullest,” she said, explaining why she made the journey.
With only a couple of days off work and weekend plans in place, Swindall booked a whirlwind 30-hour trip. She flew out of New York, passed through London, and arrived in Bangkok in time to visit the zoo, before returning to the U.S. via Amsterdam. Her entire trip, which cost about $1,100, was made possible by using points and miles she had accumulated.
Once in Bangkok, Swindall headed straight to Khao Kheow Open Zoo, nervous about the possibility of missing Moo Deng. However, upon arrival at the hippo’s enclosure, her fears disappeared as she met the baby hippo she had traveled so far to see. “She’s so cute and fun, you can’t not love her,” Swindall said of Moo Deng, capturing her excitement in a TikTok video that quickly went viral.
From Swiftie to Hippo Enthusiast
Swindall is no stranger to going all-in on her passions. A well-known Taylor Swift superfan, she often posts Swift-related content on her TikTok account, @1989vinyl. For her zoo trip, Swindall donned one of her favorite Swift shirts in hopes of getting the pop star on Moo Deng’s radar. In Swindall’s mind, the baby hippo and Swift have something in common: “They’re both absolute icons.”
Swindall documented her entire adventure on TikTok, with her first video inviting followers to “fly 18.5 hours with me to Thailand to see Moo Deng.” The clip has since been viewed over 1.9 million times. As her Moo Deng posts gained traction, Swindall’s follower count grew, and one video amassed over 5 million views.
Though some commenters were confused—wondering if Moo Deng was a music artist or long-distance partner—the majority celebrated Swindall’s unique quest. For her, the trip wasn’t about going viral but about sharing the joy of the experience with others. “I just knew that I loved Moo Deng,” she said. “It wouldn’t have taken away from it had I got zero views.”
Embracing Spontaneity and Joy
Reflecting on her whirlwind trip, Swindall is already planning her next animal-themed adventure: a visit to Melbourne, Australia, where she hopes to meet another viral sensation, Pesto the penguin. This time, however, she plans to stay longer and explore the country more thoroughly.
Swindall’s experience meeting Moo Deng reminded her of the beauty of spontaneity and the joy that comes from pursuing one’s passions. “Life is short,” she said. “If you’re really passionate about something, and you have the ability to make it work, try to make it work.”
For Swindall, the trip was about more than just meeting a cute hippo. It was a reminder to embrace life’s adventures, find joy in the unexpected, and share that happiness with others. As she continues to document her travels, her story has connected with people across the globe, spreading the same sense of wonder and excitement that drove her to Thailand in the first place.