A herd of elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park reacted to a 5.2-magnitude earthquake by circling their young calves, Zuli and Mkhaya, to protect them from potential threats. The older elephants, Ndlula, Umngani, and Khosi, gathered around the calves with their ears spread and flapping, remaining ready even after the shaking stopped. The quake, felt from San Diego to Los Angeles, caused no injuries or major damage but spooked the elephants.
Elephants are known for their intelligence and social nature, and they often form protective circles when they sense danger. In this case, the older elephants shielded the calves while one of them, Zuli, displayed independence by staying on the edge of the circle. Khosi, a teenage female who helped raise Zuli, reassured him by tapping him with her trunk.
The herd dispersed once they determined the danger had passed, showing a strong sense of family and protection. Albright, a curator at the Safari Park, noted that Zuli’s role will evolve as he grows, with female elephants staying with the family unit while males join bachelor groups. Overall, the elephants’ instinctive response to the earthquake demonstrated the importance of protecting their young, mirroring the actions of any caring parent.
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