A male lynx has surprised animal keepers in Zhengzhou Zoo by refusing to mate with a female lynx.

Instead, the lynx has been seen attracting the attention of a leopard in the next-door pen. The male lynx is frequently seen petting and playing with the leopard even though they are separated by a fence, and whenever the female lynx approaches he drives it away.

The male lynx, which comes from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has lived with the female for more than a year, but his refusal to mate has knocked the zoo's plans to introduce lynx cubs.