Zoo's 'leopard officer' from Zootopia lookalike Photo: Screenshot from the Red Star News

In March, a leopard at a zoo in Southwest China's Sichuan Province gained popularity online for its resemblance to the "leopard officer" who loves donuts in the movie Zootopia due to its obese appearance. Now, two months have passed, has the "leopard officer" successfully lost weight under the help of the zoo staff?

According to the Red Star News on May 18, the zoo at Panzhihua City Park had planned to help the leopard lose weight through diet management, improving its environment, and increasing exercise. However, the leopard doesn't seem to have lost any weight at all. 

Recently, Red Star News reporters visited the zoo and saw that the "leopard officer" still had a round belly. Compared to two months ago, the weight loss effort did not bear results.

On the morning of May 17, reporters entered the zoo, where the staff had already cleaned the leopard enclosure, and the water and breakfast for the leopard were ready. 

When asked if it had successfully lost weight, a zoo staff member smiled and replied, "Do you think it has been successful?"

According to zoo representative Liu Maojun, they consulted many experts on how to help the leopard lose weight, and the conclusion was that the leopard is too old to be bothered with weight loss and should just enjoy its old age.

"This leopard is 16 to 17 years old, equivalent to a human in their seventies or eighties. It eats three and a half pounds of high-quality beef every day, sometimes switching to rabbit and chicken meat. We consulted many experts, and this is the standard diet. In addition, the zoo will regularly review the leopard's health. As long as it is healthy and happy, that's all that matters. We won't push it," Liu said.

On March 27, the zoo expanded the leopard enclosure, removing the fence and wire mesh between the leopard enclosure and the neighboring enclosure. The leopard's living space increased to 45 square meters, and the activity area doubled, like moving into a "one-bedroom apartment."

Nike bear Photo: Screenshot from the Red Star News

Similarly, like the "leopard officer," the previously popular "Nike bear" - a black bear which has white hair like a Nike logo on its chest - also did not show significant weight loss results.

On the morning of May 17, the Red Star News reporter saw that the "Nike bear" had a new companion, a female bear that had been resting and recuperating and was recently released. After breakfast, the two bears played in the water, with the "Nike bear" waving to visitors and even spinning around when happy.

Liu explained that bears are omnivores and eat corn cakes, fruits, and vegetables daily, in accordance with regulations.

"All the animals in the zoo are our old friends, having been raised for more than 10 years. We have a special bond with them. We come to see them every day at work to ensure they are safe and happy in their old age," Liu Maojun said.

Currently, the zoo has three viewing areas: the predator area, herbivore area, and bird forest, with over 130 animals of more than 20 species, including leopards, black bears, lions, alpacas, and peacocks.

Global Times