Baby hippo star Moo Deng stunned fans when she recreated Michael Jackson's iconic moonwalk dance.

The pygmy hippo was having lunch with her mum when she glided backwards, similar to the King of Pop's popular move in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province, Thailand.

Footage shows Moo Deng sliding smoothly on the dirt ground while moving in reverse on September 26. She appeared to be enjoying the new sensation on her feet of the soles rubbing on the rough surface.

Moo Deng - whose name translates to 'bouncy pig' - is attracting large numbers of visitors to the zoo in Chonburi near the city of Pattaya.

Officials said the zoo has seen record ticket sales since the pygmy hippo exploded in popularity.

From September 1 to 23 alone, weekday attendance surged to 5,000 visitors daily, compared with fewer than 1,000 before Moo Deng. On weekends, numbers surged from as little as 2,000 to more than 10,000.

Hippos are known to be social animals. This behaviour helps them learn social cues and establish relationships within their group. Their playful nature also allows them to explore and learn about their surroundings.

The moonwalk is a dance move in which the dancer appears to glide backwards while attempting to walk forward. Michael Jackson popularised it during his 1983 performance of 'Billie Jean'.