During a recent 5.2-magnitude earthquake, elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park displayed protective and instinctive behavior. Video footage captures the animals reacting quickly by encircling their young calves, Zuli and Mkhaya, in an 'alert circle' while assessing the situation. The older matriarchs shielded the younger elephants, demonstrating their highly social nature and intelligence. The quake, felt across a wide area, did not cause significant damage, but it clearly spooked the elephants, who utilized their natural instinct to protect their family from perceived danger.
"When they perceive a threat, they often bunch together in an 'alert circle,' typically with the young clustered in the center and the adults facing outward to defend the group."
"Once in a circle, they sort of freeze as they gather information about where the danger is," said Mindy Albright, curator of mammals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
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