RICHMOND, Va. — Maymont, a picturesque park in Richmond, is thought for its beautiful gardens, stately mansion, and in style animal farm petting zoo.

But there’s an issue that comes together with that recognition.

On any given day, you’ll discover children of all ages, with their tiny arms filled with meals pellets, feeding the awaiting animals.

And that turned an unhealthy behavior for Percy the Donkey.

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“The life of a donkey is not that demanding,” Maymont senior supervisor of zoology Joel Neel stated. “Unfortunately that leaves a lot of time for eating.”

Neel stated round 10 years in the past, introduced on by a seemingly unending provide of meals from guests and lack of membership to a fitness center, the 25-year-old Sicilian donkey discovered himself a bit chubby.

“It’s not wholesome for people and it’s not wholesome for animals,” Neel said. “He doesn’t work out, sadly.”

To help Percy, Maymont posted a sign on the gate where he lives at the farm.

“This is Percy. Please do not feed him. He’s on a strict diet. You may pet him if he is close by, but please help us keep him healthy by saving your animal feed for the other farm animals.”

While signs to help Percy have been up for a while, this one recently made the rounds on social media thanks to Richmond artist and meme marker Doug “RVA Coffee Stain” Orleski.

So how does Percy really feel about his enterprise being blasted out for all to see?

“I don’t know that it hurts his emotions however he’s most likely a little bit bitter,” Neel said with a laugh. “He’s a crotchety previous man generally.”

Bitter or not, the signal appears to be working.

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Percy now weighs about 350 kilos and has misplaced about 100 kilos from his plumpest.

“I can’t think about him 100 kilos heavier. Dang, Percy,” Maymont visitor Crystal Evelyn said.

Neel said Percy has come a long way and is in much better shape than a decade ago.

He said he hoped the beloved donkey of Maymont will be happy and healthy for years to come.

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“We don’t necessarily advertise the struggle and the amount of work that we really have to put in to take care of these animals,” Neel said. “We want to have Percy with us for as long as possible and particularly now he’s about to turn 25 years old so we got to take care of him to make sure he’s staying healthy. Maybe get him a Peleton.”

While we wish to acknowledge Percy’s exhausting work, his weight reduction journey will not be fairly full.

Maymont stated Percy stays about 15 kilos from his excellent weight.

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