Houston Zoo has amped up its adorable animal repertoire with the arrival of Akobi, a four-year-old pygmy hippopotamus that's bound to become a visitor favorite.

Transferred from the San Francisco Zoo, Akobi is here to dynamically play a part in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program. A conservation effort that aims to help endangered species flourish through carefully coordinated breeding, as reported by Click2Houston. While Thailand's pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, has been hogging the international social media spotlight, Akobi is now set to capture hearts closer to home.

Named "Akobi", meaning "first born" in Yoruba, and originally an occupant of San Diego Zoo, his name nods to his heritage and early beginnings. According to the initial reports from Click2Houston, visitors can now observe him as he familiarizes with his new stomping grounds adjacent to the bongo habitat. ABC13 noted that zoo patrons will find Akobi's addition as he explores and gets comfortable in his Texan enclave.

More than just a charming addition, Akobi's presence is a friendly reminder of the plight his species faces, such as deforestation, mining, and poaching. The Houston Zoo actively encourages conservation through its initiative to recycle electronic devices like cell phones, citing that these gadgets often contain metals mined from ecosystems where pygmy hippos, like Akobi, naturally reside. Per information gathered by Click2Houston, the zoo has successfully recycled over 1,200 electronic devices throughout the year, a small but significant step toward environmental stewardship.

For those charmed by the pygmy hippo allure and looking to contribute to a world where creatures like Akobi can continue to exist, the Houston Zoo has provided both a place for education and engagement. Visitors can now not just stop by to see Akobi, but also to participate to actively in the safeguarding of his natural habitat.