THIS fat neutered lynx is happier than ever because he doesn’t need females anymore

According to Schweinfurt Wildlife Park in Germany, Rufus the lynx "relaxed" after the operation he was neutered and is now thought to be the fattest of his kind in Germany.

4 Rufus the fat lynx weighs a whopping 48kg - he is believed to be the biggest lynx in Germany Credit: Central European News

He eats a healthy diet but no longer has a sex drive, or the desire to stay in shape to impress the females - so he has grown to weigh 48kg.

The average weight for the wild cat is 35kg.

Wildlife park director Thomas Leier said: "Rufus is fat but healthy.

"He was neutered at the beginning of 2013 and is now pretty relaxed, of course, for where there is no testosterone, there is also no sex."

4 According to zoo staff, the lynx 'relaxed' after losing his sex drive and seems to be enjoying life Credit: Central European News

Rufus had the snip after the zoo decided there was no need for him to breed.

Local media say obesity is relatively common in neutered cats, as the animals move considerably less when they don't need to have sex or impress females.

Staff say Rufus is still healthy despite his size - he receives regular check-ups from medical staff.

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4 Rufus was neutered after the zoo decided there was no need for him to breed Credit: Central European News

4 Wildlife park director Thomas Leier said Rufus the lynx is 'fat but healthy' Credit: Central European News

Leier says Rufus is still "the boss" despite his size, stealing meat chunks from his family and lazing about afterwards.

He added that putting Rufus on a diet is not an option, as wild cats should not be made to fast.

But the zoo is trying to help him shed a few pounds by reducing the amount of meat and fat he eats.

Once they are neutered, many cats become less active and aggressive, so Rufus' behaviour is not unusual.

Leier hopes Rufus will be able to spend "a few more happy years" in the wildlife park as he has just turned 13 and the life expectancy for lynx is around 17 years.

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