Panda has fits over fitness dancing grannies outside Nanjing zoo

Loud music from group fitness dancing is not only disturbing residents in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, but also the city's zoo animals, media reported Tuesday.

Experts observed that panda "Chaoyang" would begin pacing back and forth every time groups of middle-aged and elderly locals collected near the Hongshan Zoo's entrance to dance or sing to loud music.

"Some people can handle loud noise, but others get stressed out and anxious. Pandas are just like human beings," said the expert from the Sichuan-based Ya'an Giant Panda Reserve Center.

The panda's heartbeat and breathing noticeably accelerates when it hears loud voices, said Shen Zhijun, the director of the Hongshan Zoo.

"They sing very loudly. I can hear them from a long distance away. I've tried to persuade them to lower their voices but they refused," said a local resident surnamed Zhou.

Shen explained that other animals, such as hornbills and giraffes, are also negatively affected by the dancing and singing.

"They start at 7 am. The noise just forces the giraffes back inside when all they want is some fresh air," said Shen.