TL;DR
- Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, donated 10 million Thai baht (approximately $292,000) to Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo to support wildlife conservation.
- The donation will be disbursed in two installments and will fund the zoo’s operations, wildlife sponsorship program, and a new exhibit dedicated to Moo Deng, including an educational center.
- Buterin’s donation has positively impacted the community and the crypto market, with the MOODENG meme coin soaring in value and trading volume following the announcement.
Vitalik Buterin has made a significant donation to support wildlife conservation efforts at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo. The donation, amounting to 10 million Thai baht (approximately $292,000), is aimed at sponsoring Moo Deng, a pygmy hippopotamus, and supporting the zoo’s wildlife sponsorship project.
Thank you Vitalik Buterin @VitalikButerin for joining the Wildlife Sponsorship Program and adopting Moo Deng with a generous gift of 10,000,000 THB for her family! We look forward to working with you over the next 2 years for the benefit of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo community & all… pic.twitter.com/Ykrr53Y2tZ
— สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว Khao Kheow Open Zoo (@KhaokheowZoo) December 26, 2024
Details of the Donation
This generous contribution highlights Buterin’s commitment to global environmental and educational initiatives. The donation will be disbursed in two installments, with the first installment of 5 million Thai baht being made on December 26, 2024, and the second installment to follow within a year.
Buterin’s contribution will go towards the zoo’s operations, wildlife sponsorship program, and a new exhibit dedicated to Moo Deng. The funds will help provide Moo Deng and other pygmy hippos with suitable habitat and support the construction of an educational center to teach visitors about the species.
Impact on the Community
Buterin’s donation has already had a significant impact on the community and the crypto market. The news of his contribution sent the MOODENG meme coin soaring, with its price doubling within two hours of the announcement.
The token, which pays homage to Moo Deng, saw a 66% increase in value and a 350% spike in trading volume. This surge reflects the positive sentiment and support from the Ethereum community and the broader crypto market.
Buterin’s Commitment to Charity
This is not the first time Buterin has made a substantial donation to charitable causes. Earlier this year, he converted meme coins worth $1.6 million into ETH and donated them to various charitable organizations.
Buterin has also encouraged developers to establish DAOs to allow communities greater control over token-related donations. His ongoing philanthropic efforts demonstrate his dedication to using cryptocurrency for positive social impact.
Vitalik Buterin’s donation to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo underscores his commitment to wildlife conservation and the Ethereum community’s support for global causes. By sponsoring Moo Deng and contributing to the zoo’s educational initiatives, Buterin is helping to raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.
