The Lens: Internet phenomenon Moo Deng sparks zoo ethics debate

The internet has been captivated by the baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng.

This lovable animal has become popular with her moonwalk, sassy attitude and escape attempts.

However, with this new-found legacy, Moo Deng has also sparked controversy.

Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has understandably been vocal about Moo Deng’s captivity. According to the American non-profit Animal Legal Defense Fund, thousands of animals live in inhumane conditions. This creates psychological stress for the animals, and no matter how much the man-made enclosures resemble the wild, it is still a far cry from nature.

Animals born in zoos will never experience what it is like to live in nature as they are bred just for the entertainment of humans. Yet, zoos play a significant role in protecting endangered animals like Moo Deng. They also participate in breeding programmes that aim to save animals in jeopardy.

It is clear that Moo Deng deserves better living conditions, ideally similar to those in wildlife sanctuaries. This plea for better conditions should resonate with all of us, sparking a sense of empathy and concern for Moo Deng.

With nine million members worldwide, Peta’s claims could adversely affect Thai tourism and the zoo’s profits. The Thai government is actively defending what has been called an “inhumane jail cell” in the eyes of the public.

Thailand is famous for its exotic experiences, from small animal zoos to elephants roaming the streets. If Peta’s accusations were to go viral, boycotts could be organised against Moo Deng’s zoo, affecting the tourism industry.

While a significant impact has yet to be seen, there is no doubt that Moo Deng’s situation brings up important questions about the ethics of animals in zoos.

Check out last week’s news snippet

A retired South Korean Air Force officer has sparked a heated debate by suggesting that women should be conscripted into the military to address the nation’s low birth rate.

Kim Hyung-chul, head of the Korea Institute for Military Affairs, a defence ministry-affiliated think tank, said enlistment was a chance for men and women to mingle and advance their relationships.

“We have reached a point where women need to serve in the military. In that case, men and women would sleep in separate rooms in the barracks, but they would still live together like in university dormitories,” Kim told a South Korean YouTube channel.

He added: “Naturally, couples would form. And this camaraderie could lead to more marriages and eventually more babies.”

By law, all able-bodied men in the country must serve 18 to 21 months in the military under a conscription system. At the same time, women can volunteer for army duty as officers or non-commissioned officers.

Kim’s proposal sparked backlash on social media, with many arguing that military service should not be used as a matchmaking exercise.

South Korea’s fertility rate plummeted to a record low in 2023. According to data from Statistics Korea, the average number of expected babies for a South Korean woman during her reproductive life fell to 0.72 from 0.78 in 2022.

Seoul has spent billions of dollars on schemes, including cash handouts, to encourage citizens to have more babies. So far, the efforts have all been in vain.

Opposition lawmaker Park Sun-won condemned Kim’s attempt to “use the military as a tool for childbirth”.

Some social media commenters backed the former official’s idea, saying it would lead to “true” gender equality in South Korea.

Kim sought to draw a line under the issue, saying he tried to underscore the need for places where men and women can meet.

Staff writers

• Would requiring women to serve in the military increase the birth rate in South Korea? Why or why not?

• How could changing conscription requirements impact South Korea and its society?