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Zoo returns jaguar that's 'too fat to mate'

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A 12-year-old jaguar brought to New Delhi zoo on a “breeding loan” is being sent back.

The big cat, nicknamed Salman, came from a zoo in southern Kerala state last October.

But it has since shown little interest in cosying up to his partner. 

Delhi zoo curator Riaz Khan told AFP:

“The female jaguar has been trying to entice him but he is simply lazy and does not respond to her overtures.

“The fact is he is too fat to breed and we have decided to send him back to Kerala.”

He also added that the big cat polishes off some six kilos (13 pounds) of buffalo meat daily.

Jaguars have no defined breeding season and will mate any time of the year.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the species as near-threatened, with hunting prohibited in India as well as various other countries.

The International Species Information Service says there are only 292 jaguars worldwide.

Delhi zoo officials have not weighed the big cat as yet although they say he is “much heavier” than the normal 100 kilos (220 pounds).

The Indian Express daily said frustrated caretakers had given up hope of seeing Salman start a family.

The paper quoted a caretaker as saying: 

“He has a bigger appetite than the tigers.

“He is lazy, a glutton, just loves to eat and relax."

Sources: AFP, The Indian Express

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