Meet Apoh: the ‘chonky’ panther captivating the Malaysian internet

Malaysia’s internet has fallen in love with Apoh, a black panther at the National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur whose portly figure has prompted both laughter and reassurance from zookeepers.

Apoh celebrated his 15th birthday on Tuesday, but it was last week that he shot to online fame after a visitor shared a 15-second TikTok clip of the panther rolling onto his back, his belly prominently displayed. A text overlay in Malay asks the zoo to explain how Apoh got “so chonky and cute”.

The video attracted thousands of comments, with many likening him to an overweight house cat rather than a majestic jungle predator.

This viral moment stood in stark contrast to earlier footage from 2023, which showed a leaner, more muscular Apoh prowling confidently around his enclosure.

“Yes, Apoh is looking a little chonky, but don’t worry!” the zoo reassured people in a TikTok post. “Our dedicated zookeepers and vets are keeping a close eye on him and making sure he gets the best care possible.”

The zoo said it welcomed the public’s concern and encouraged supporters to contribute to Apoh’s care by joining its animal adoption programme, which helps fund food, medical attention and general upkeep.