Elephants are intelligent and sentient animals that continue to amaze us with their actions.
A 5.2 magnitude earthquake shook Southern California on Monday which sent the elephant herd at San Diego Zoo Safari Park to react with an “alert circle”.
The park states that elephants can “feel sounds through their feet” and immediately reacted to the earthquake by forming a protective circle known as an alert circle, or as the park called it “circle of trust”.
The adult elephants herded the young calf into the middle of the circle and remained on alert as the ground continued to shake.
“This behavior, demonstrated here by Ndlula, Zuli, Mkhaya, Umngani, and Khosi, is a natural response to perceived threats that helps protect younger elephants and the herd as a whole,” the park shared.
Screenshot: Instagram/San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Viewers are amazed by how calm they seemed and how they knew exactly what to do. Talk about a great execution of an emergency plan. Everyone’s heart melted when they saw the baby elephant being protected in the middle of the circle.
The elephants returned to their normal activities after the incident but remained close together just in case.
Check out the video shared by the park that is sure to leave you in awe of these majestic animals. Don’t forget to share!
Stronger together 🐘
AdvertisementElephants have the unique ability to feel sounds through their feet and formed an “alert circle” during the 5.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Southern California this morning. This behavior is a natural response to perceived threats to protect the herd. pic.twitter.com/LqavOKHt6k
— San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (@sandiegozoo) April 14, 2025
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