Panzhihua Zoo, Sichuan Province, has received criticism online as netizens began accusing the park of "fattening up" it animals after clips of an overweight bear and leopard went viral.

Some humorously referred to the zoo as the "national model pig farming base," sparking widespread discussion. The reason for the online buzz was that many of the animals appeared to be overly fat, as though they were living too comfortably.

Predatory animals like leopards and black bears, in particular, looked round and plump, quite unlike the agile and strong image people usually associate with such creatures.

Panzhihua Zoo responded by explaining that the animals have limited space to move around due to the small size of the zoo. With more food and less activity, the animals have gradually become overweight. The zoo also clarified that it does not allow visitors to feed the animals, with signs posted that say, "Do not feed the animals," and staff on site to remind visitors.

In fact, as early as March this year, one of the zoo’s leopards went viral for its chubby appearance, which netizens likened to Clawhauser, an overweight cheetah, from the movie "Zootopia". Soon after, the zoo's overweight black bear also gained attention online, with its white chest marking earning it the nickname Nike bear.

Dr. Sun Quanhui, a scientist from the World Animal Protection, explained that leopards are large felines that usually roam areas spanning dozens of square kilometres in the wild. The zoo's limited space makes it difficult to meet their exercise needs. He said: "In the zoo, leopards don't need to exert energy hunting for food or worry about going hungry, which can easily lead to over-nutrition and excessive weight gain."

Some netizens expressed concern over the health of these overweight animals, asking whether their physical functions might decline and if they are more prone to illness. In response, zoo staff assured that the animals receive regular check-ups by specialised veterinarians and have balanced diets. "Their meals are not monotonous, consisting of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and supplements." According to the latest health check, the animals are in "pretty good condition," the zoo's staff claimed.

To increase the animals' activity, the zoo has expanded the leopard's enclosure by combining two sections into one. Additionally, keepers make efforts to encourage movement by hanging meat higher so the leopards have to jump to reach it.

The staff also noted that the zoo, which has been around for decades, is looking into expanding but lacks confirmed funding. The zoo's entrance fee is 2 yuan per person on regular days and 3 yuan during holidays, and it has not raised prices since 2008.

On October 3rd, during the National Day holiday, Panzhihua Zoo unexpectedly became a trending topic online. However, it wasn't because of the rare animals in the zoo, but rather due to the "alternative" comments from netizens. Some humorously referred to it as the "national model pig farming base," sparking widespread discussion. The reason for the online buzz was that many of the animals appeared to be overly fat, as though they were living too comfortably. Predatory animals like leopards and black bears, in particular, looked round and plump, quite unlike the agile and strong image people usually associate with such creatures.

Panzhihua Zoo responded by explaining that the animals have limited space to move around due to the small size of the zoo. With more food and less activity, the animals have gradually become overweight. The zoo also clarified that it does not allow visitors to feed the animals, with signs posted that say "Do not feed the animals," and staff on-site to remind visitors.

In fact, as early as March this year, one of the zoo’s leopards went viral for its chubby appearance, which netizens likened to "Clawhauser" from the movie *Zootopia*. Soon after, the zoo's overweight black bear also gained attention online, with its white chest marking earning it the nickname "Nike Bear."

Dr. Sun Quanhui, a scientist from the World Animal Protection organization, explained that leopards are large felines that usually roam areas spanning dozens of square kilometers in the wild. The zoo's limited space makes it difficult to meet their exercise needs. "In the zoo, leopards don't need to exert energy hunting for food or worry about going hungry, which can easily lead to over-nutrition and excessive weight gain."

Some netizens expressed concern over the health of these overweight animals, asking whether their physical functions might decline and if they are more prone to illness. In response, zoo staff assured that the animals receive regular check-ups by specialized veterinarians and have balanced diets. "Their meals are not monotonous, consisting of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and supplements." According to the latest health check, the animals are in "pretty good condition."

To increase the animals' activity, the zoo has expanded the leopard's enclosure by combining two sections into one. Additionally, keepers make efforts to encourage movement by hanging meat higher so the leopards have to jump to reach it. The staff also noted that the zoo, which has been around for decades, is looking into expanding but lacks confirmed funding. The zoo's entrance fee is 2 yuan per person on regular days and 3 yuan during holidays, and it has not raised prices since 2008.