A zoo in China has come under fire after photos of its unusually plump animals went viral, prompting accusations that the facility is intentionally fattening them up to create a sensation similar to the viral hippo, Moo Deng. Among the animals sparking concern are an overweight leopard, a sun bear seen in a “food coma,” and a peacock described by visitors as “turkey-sized.”

Leopard in the spotlight

The Panzhihua Park Zoo in Sichuan Province has found itself at the center of controversy, especially after images of a rotund leopard lounging on its back began circulating on Chinese social media.

The leopard, typically known for its agility, was pictured panting in the sun and looking more like a domestic cat than a fierce predator. Despite attempts to slim down the 16-year-old feline by expanding its enclosure and reducing its diet to 1.75 kg of beef per day, the leopard refused to shed the extra weight.

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Zoo officials now claim the animal is perfectly healthy and simply has “loose skin.” Liu Maojun, a zoo staff member, told Hongxing News that they consulted experts on how to address the leopard’s weight. “The conclusion was that it was unnecessary to bother the leopard with weight loss efforts and that it should just enjoy its old age in peace,” Liu said.

Other animals are also under scrutiny

The leopard isn’t the only zoo resident attracting attention. Visitors have also commented on an obese sun bear seen lying on its back, seemingly in a food coma with crumbs scattered on its chest. Another clip shows the bear lazily drinking from a pipe while lounging in its enclosure. Additionally, a peacock has gained online fame for its unusually large size, with fans dubbing it a “turkey.” Reports suggest other animals at the zoo, including ostriches and alpacas, also appear overweight. Local media speculates that the animals’ sedentary lifestyle, due to small enclosures and lack of exercise, is contributing to their weight gain.

Zoo defends animal health amid criticism

Despite the criticism, the zoo maintains that the animals are healthy, insisting that increased ticket sales—boosted by the viral images—have allowed them to spend more on animal care. The zoo also noted that they have increased ticket prices by 50 percent due to the influx of visitors. Fans of the animals have taken to social media to both praise and mock the zoo. One user posted, “I give a big thumbs up to this zoo. The animals in other zoos are so skinny.” Another joked, “I hope I can be reborn in Panzhihua Zoo in my next life.” A third commented, “So cute, I want to touch it.”

Panzhihua Park Zoo houses more than 130 animals from over 20 species, but the recent controversy has raised questions about the welfare of its residents, as well as the ethics of using the animals’ appearance to attract attention. Whether the zoo is deliberately overfeeding its animals or simply struggling with animal care management remains a topic of heated debate.