A zoo in southern China expanded the living space for its chubby leopard, who became an online sensation.

The video was filmed in the city of Panzhihua in Sichuan Province on March 27.

A leopard's resemblance to the doughnut-loving police officer from the animated hit "Zootopia" has catapulted it to internet fame. Dubbed the "doughnut-loving leopard," this adorable creature has won hearts for its considerable weight gain, eerily mirroring the beloved character from the movie.

In response to its burgeoning popularity, zoo officials undertook a significant expansion project on 27 March, effectively doubling the leopard's living quarters by merging adjacent enclosures and removing barriers, thus providing the spotted celebrity with a spacious "one-bedroom apartment." The revamped enclosure was unveiled to the public the following day, much to the delight of fans and visitors.

The leopard's rise to stardom has not only brought joy and laughter to many but also sparked a significant surge in visitor numbers. Within a month, the zoo witnessed an astonishing tenfold increase in foot traffic compared to the same period in 2023, with ticket sales reaching about 192,500 yuan (£21,045), surpassing the previous year's total earnings by nearly 20,000 yuan (£2,187).

Seizing this opportunity, the zoo has announced plans to collaborate with local cultural and tourism departments to create unique cultural IPs based on local characteristics.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

3月初，四川攀枝花市公园动物园，一只金钱豹因“发福”长胖，酷似电影《疯狂动物城》中酷爱吃甜甜圈的“豹警官”在网上走红。据工作人员介绍，3月27日，动物园对豹馆进行了扩容，打通了隔壁馆舍，拆除了围栏和钢丝网，为豹子扩大了一倍的活动场地。扩建好的豹馆已于3月28日正常开放，网红“豹警官”已住进干净整洁的“一室一厅”。
随着“豹警官”的走红，也吸引了大量游客前来，一个月时间，入园客流量猛增至2023年同期的10倍左右。一个月时间，动物园门票收入约19.25万元，比2023年全年门票收入还多出了近2万元。为此，园方已决定联合当地文旅等部门，结合本地特色，深入打造文创IP，“魔力果动物城”“花梨豹”“芒芒熊”等卡通形象也已陆续上线，以期进一步丰富市民游客的入园体验。