‘Dancing’ China panda is actually in distress, say experts

A video of a panda “dancing”, which was widely shared on social media in China, is more likely showing that the animal is suffering mental distress, according to experts.

The film, presented by the state-run Xinhua news agency as a light-hearted piece about a disco dancing panda, shows a seven-year-old male named Kaihin at the Qianling Mountain Park in Guiyang, Guizhou province. 

Kaihin is seen standing on all four paws, lowering his head and swinging it left and right, whilst also twisting his body. 

“He’s big and lovely,” said Wu Yuqi, a primary school pupil interviewed in the video. “This is my first time to see a real panda. It’s a fantastic experience.”

Some internet users, however, suggested the animal may be in distress.

“This is not cute! This is repetitive behaviour,” one person commented, getting more than 1,000 “likes” on Sina Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter. “The panda is in pain. Please do not make fun of it.”