In a recent interview, we caught up with the rising star of the Green Mountain Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand—Moo Deng, a two-month-old pygmy hippo affectionately dubbed “Jumping Pig.” With its irresistible charm and playful antics, Moo Deng has captured hearts worldwide, drawing comparisons to K-pop sensation Lisa from BLACKPINK.

Moo Deng’s delightful, pink-faced shenanigans, like frantically flapping its ears when excited and giving the occasional playful nibble to a zookeeper’s knee, have made it a beloved figure on social media. A notable post by the Texas Department of Transportation that featured a funny image of Moo Deng in a child safety seat received nearly 40,000 likes—an astonishing 1,000 times more engagement than their typical posts.

“This is exactly what we want to see from the Texas Department of Transportation! More Jumping Pig, please!” exclaimed Rebecca Parlakian, responding to the viral Facebook moment. Other fans, including those from Jakarta, Indonesia, also shared how the cute advertisement resonated with them, even if they weren’t parents or drivers.

However, the charm of Jumping Pig has also sparked some irresponsible behaviors among visitors. Reports have surfaced of guests throwing bananas and shells in an attempt to attract the young hippo’s attention, prompting the zoo to limit Moo Deng’s public appearances to just five minutes on weekends.

Zoo Director Narongwit Chodchoi has urged visitors to stop tossing objects at Moo Deng and announced that surveillance cameras will be installed to monitor the area, with potential legal action against those who choose not to comply.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies pygmy hippos as critically endangered, estimating that only about 2,000 to 2,500 adults remained as of 2015. The Pygmy Hippo Foundation emphasizes that hunting and habitat destruction continue to threaten their populations.

Pygmy hippos, which are smaller than their more common relatives, inhabit regions in West African countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. They typically dwell in drier areas, resting during the day and foraging in forests at night. When threatened, they seek refuge in water or hide in tree hollows and caves, often living solitary or in pairs but occasionally forming small groups.

As Moo Deng’s popularity grows, it serves as a vital reminder of the importance of wildlife conservation and responsible tourism practices.