Panda living in zoos are suffering from 'jet lag'.
Pandas in zoos suffer from 'jet lag'
A new study suggests that giant panda living in captivity outside the latitude of their normal range are less active - which potentially has an impact on their welfare.
Scientists explained that all animals have an internal clock that is regulated by environmental cues, but animals in zoos get very different cues to those roaming free in the wild.
The study's lead author Kristine Gandia, of the University of Stirling, said that giant pandas were the ideal species to test how the internal clock affects wellbeing and behaviour as they live highly seasonal lives.
She explained: "Animals, including humans, have evolved rhythms, to synchronise their internal environment with the external environment.
"When internal clocks are not synchronised with external cues like light and temperature, animals experience adverse effects.
"In humans, this can range from jet lag to metabolic issues and seasonal affective disorder."