This is the amusing moment zoo staff rehearsed a rescue drill in case baby hippo Moo Deng escapes from her enclosure.

Staff at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo carried out the simulation using a hippo mascot as a stand-in for the young animal.

Footage shows the costumed staff member playfully portraying Moo Deng as she wandered around the zoo during the exercise in Chonburi, Thailand, on July 21.

At one point, the ‘hippo' charged at a female staff member, mock-injuring her before 'escaping' from the area.

This prompted an actor playing a guard to use a riot shield to shoo the animal away, while the 'victim' lay helplessly on the ground.

First aid responders quickly arrived, treating the 'injured' woman and transporting her to a hospital as part of the simulation.

Following emergency protocols, the zoo's veterinary team moved in, surrounding the mascot and administering a mock tranquiliser to subdue the animal.

One of the officials can be seen aiming at the animal's bottom before shooting the sedative. The creature then dramatically acted drowsy and eventually fell to the ground on her stomach.

They then performed a health check and transported the ‘hippo' back to its enclosure using an ambulance vehicle.

In another clip, responders placed the mascot on a stretcher and loaded it into the van.

The management said that the drill aimed to test the zoo's preparedness for real-life animal escape scenarios, focusing on quick response, interdepartmental coordination, and containment procedures.

Mr Narongwit Chodchoi, Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, said: 'This drill is part of our 2025 annual safety protocol. It aims to prevent injuries or loss of life and strengthen safety confidence among both staff and visitors.'

Moo Deng is a one-year-old pygmy hippopotamus living at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. She was born on July 20, 2024, to her parents, Tony and Jonah and was named Moo Deng, which means bouncy pig, through a public poll, with more than 20,000 people voting.

She drew crowds to the zoo after gaining popularity in September 2024 as a popular internet meme, following trending images of her emerging online.

Her fame surged when the zoo posted pictures of her on its Facebook page, showcasing her in funny gestures.

Due to her popularity, the number of daily visitors to the zoo doubled in early September. The Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand reported that the number of tourists visiting reached 159,743, a significant increase from August's total of 98,046.

The pygmy hippopotamus is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List and is classified under Appendix II of CITES.

Pygmy hippos are small hippopotamids native to the forests and swamps of West Africa, primarily in Liberia, with small populations in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast.