Kunming City, Yunnan Province, southwest China - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of animals at Kunming Zoo
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Peng Chao, monitor, little animal class, Kunming Zoo (partially overlaid with shot 3):
"In recent days, little raccoons and little red pandas in our zoo have become visibly fatter and their hairs have also turned to be lighter."
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3. Various of animals at Kunming Zoo
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4. Various of animals at Kunming Zoo
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Peng Chao, monitor, little animal class, Kunming Zoo:
"Becoming fatter enables animals to better compete for food and mates, which creates a virtuous circle. The fatter they are, the more they eat, and the fatter they become."
6. Various of animals at Kunming Zoo

As winter fast approaches, young animal cubs at the Kunming Zoo in southwest China's Yunnan Province have been fattening up as they prepare to see out the cold weather.

The cubs, including raccoons, otters and macaques, have been enjoying filling their tummies with some extra helpings of food while basking in the late autumn sunlight, with the leisurely youngsters attracting a large number of visitors keen to see them and take pictures.

"In recent days, little raccoons and little red pandas in our zoo have become visibly fatter and their hairs have also turned to be lighter," said Peng Chao, head monitor for the affectionately named "little animal class" of Kunming Zoo.

Unlike humans who may perhaps pursue a thinner figure, animals tend towards putting on weight in winter, where some extra girth is a symbol of strength and status, whilst protecting them from bitter cold temperatures, according to breeders at the zoo.

"Becoming fatter enables animals to better compete for food and mates, which creates a virtuous circle. The fatter they are, the more they eat, and the fatter they become," said Peng.

Kunming Zoo is located in Yuantong Hill in the northern part of Kunming City. The zoo dates back to the 1950s and features more than 50 different kinds of animal species.