Du Youshun, chief engineer of Wuhan Zoo, said, "Usually at this time of morning, Xi Wang and Wei Wei are enjoying bamboo. Today, the sudden darkness confused them. They thought it was the evening and fell asleep."

According to Du Youshun, most primates thought it was just a normal day. When the sun came out after several minutes of darkness, the gibbons yapped as they usually do in the morning.

Swans were the only animals obviously frightened. Usually, they search for food in the morning in a relaxed manner. But today, a group of swans gathered in the center of the lake, waiting quietly, as if they were preparing to escape in case of an emergency.

But when the sun came out again, the swans spread out swum about elegantly.

(CCTV July 23, 2009)