This is the moment a lioness at a zoo is filmed looking so overweight that her belly drooped close to the ground.
The footage was taken at Chengdu Zoo, where the whole pride of lions is said to be struggling with obesity, local media in Sichuan Province, China, reported on 19th September.
The chubby feline is seen slumped on the ground and munching on grass.
The images triggered widespread criticism on Chinese social media, where many users said the lions and tigers and the zoo look dangerously obese.
Zoo staff said the African lion in the video is 12 years old, which they described as relatively old.
They explained that its slower metabolism and reduced activity had caused moderate obesity.
The zoo said it has been trying to reduce the lion’s weight for more than a year, with limited success.
It has now expanded the animals’ activity area and is adjusting food intake, flavours, and feeding methods.
Experts warn that obesity in large animals can lead to metabolic disorders, joint problems, and long-term pain.
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