A small zoo in Thailand plans to capitalize on Moo Deng the baby pygmy hippo's popularity, hoping to patent her brand to help all its animal inhabitants.

The zoo defended its care for Moo Deng, arguing the baby hippo receives the best possible care and is part of a conservation programme Thailand has dismissed as outdated, animal rights group Peta's accusations that an internet-famous female baby pygmy hippo "faces a lifetime of confinement" at a local zoo cashing in on the mammal's stardom.