Animals

The most "disqualified" leopard in the world: spoiled too much, now looks like a puppy

We usually think of leopards as large and aggressive, often nicknamed ferocious predators. However, this is the complete opposite of Messi the leopard. Due to living with humans for so long, Messi no longer possesses the ferocity of a wild beast. He is as gentle and obedient as a puppy or a kitten

Unlike famous football player Messi, the big pampered leopard behaves like a puppy. Messi is a 3-year-old leopard from Penza, Russia.

Due to living with humans for so long and being pampered like a pet, Messi became gentle and docile like a kitten.

Messi was one of three cubs born at the zoo. Two other Leopards, Suarez and Neymar, were also named after famous players as the 2018 World Cup in Penza hosts four matches.

When he was three months old, the leopard Messi had health problems and the Saransk Zoo was unable to care for him and wanted to give him away.

During a visit to the zoo, the couple Maria and Alexander Dmitriev saw and instantly fell in love with Messi. They asked the zoo to sell them Macy, which was quickly accepted.

In fact, taking care of a big leopard is not an easy task, which is different from taking care of dogs and cats.

At that time, Messi was quite weak and needed a lot of care, whether it was health or diet and many other issues.

They also tried to find a personal trainer for him, but without success. However, when they sent Messi to dog school, it turned out that he could understand 10 commands.

Basically, it becomes a real dog.

Though it can be destructive like a dog, Messi is quite friendly, and gentle, and loves to socialize with people. It never bites.

Although the house is rather cramped, Messi was given a separate "room" where he could crawl, play and eat.

Messi is also very fond of this couple, Mariya and Aleksandr Dmitriev, and sleeps in the same room with them.

Despite being well cared for, Messi is only 2/3 the size of a normal leopard in the wild, and even so he is quite large.

Many environmentalists are also opposed to the Dmitriev family keeping Messi as a pet. They believe it is too dangerous and Messi should be released into the wild.

However, Messi may find it difficult to survive like wild animals in the wild because it has lived so long and is used to the way of human life.

Currently, Messi is still living happily with his owner and has become a very popular figure on social networks.