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.
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.
The big cat, who has been there since 2010, does receive regular checkups and is otherwise in good health.
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