A zoo has halted its weight loss plan for a chunky leopard who has gone viral due to its cartoon-like resemblance.
The 16-year-old cat has been compared to donut-loving Officer Clawhauser, from the film Zootopia.
The overweight animal had been trying to lose a few pounds over the course of two months, but had recently given up due to its old age and no sign of results, reports What’s The Jam.
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In March 2024, the leopard went viral; making the big cat – and its uncanny resemblance to the Disney character – an instant hit.
According to local reports, visitors now queue up just to catch a glimpse, with the zoo’s ticket sales rising to a whopping $26,000 (USD) (£20,000) for the year.
Located in China’s Sichuan province, Panzhihua Zoo is known as “a zoo with a conscience” as it spends most of the money earned on ticket sales on food for the animals.
However, this has led to obesity becoming a common problem.
But despite their efforts to tear down an enclosure, doubling his space, putting him on a strict diet and adjusting his feeding schedule, it was eventually decided to just let him be.
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The big cat, who has been there since 2010, does receive regular checkups and is otherwise in good health.
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