A video of Riku and Yuki, two Ezo raccoon dogs living at Sapporo's Maruyama Zoo, has gone viral. The clip shows them making a "full-speed dash" the moment they spot a zookeeper. Prepare to have your heart melted by their adorable antics...

It's the zookeeper, it's the zookeeper, it's the zookeeper, YAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!

Images from a post by @tncthme

As soon as the two sense someone at the door, they get restless. The moment the door opens, they make a beeline for the zookeeper. You can't help but smile as they rub against the keeper's body and jump up and down at their feet.

This adorable scene was posted on X (formerly Twitter) and quickly garnered over 30,000 likes, along with a flood of comments like, "So fluffy and cute," "They're so excited," "They act like puppies," and "There's nothing to say but 'cute'."

Why a Raccoon Dog Fan from Aichi Prefecture Visits Hokkaido

Riku (left) and Yuki (right), photographed on the same day.

Riku and Yuki were rescued in Memuro Town, Tokachi, in 2020 and raised at the Obihiro Zoo. After joining Maruyama Zoo in 2021, they quickly became popular for their charming appearance. We asked a zookeeper at Maruyama Zoo about this behavior, who told us, "They get excited because they think they're about to be fed." This happens not just at their evening feeding but any time a keeper comes to feed them. Once they've had enough to eat or realize the keeper has no food, they wander off.

A shot of Riku, also taken on the same day.

The video was posted by a user named Nanashi-san, who lives in Aichi Prefecture. A huge fan of raccoon dogs, they traveled all the way from Aichi to Sapporo's Maruyama Zoo just to see Riku and Yuki. "I was a big fan of An-chan from Obihiro Zoo and used to visit Hokkaido many times," they told us. An was the "foster parent" to Riku and Yuki and lived at Obihiro Zoo, but sadly passed away in April 2024. However, for Nanashi-san, An "will always be my idol."

An (left) and Ame (right) at Obihiro Zoo.

"I hope this video helps more people see how cute Ezo raccoon dogs are," Nanashi-san said. Riku and Yuki are spending their days happily at Maruyama Zoo. If you visit Sapporo, be sure to stop by Maruyama Zoo to meet this adorable pair.