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Earthquake Shakes San Diego, Elephants at Safari Park Form Protective Circle
A 5.2-magnitude earthquake rattled San Diego County on Monday, sending tremors as far north as Los Angeles. While the quake caused minor disruptions, such as falling boulders and scattered store items, it led to a heartwarming display of animal instinct at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Video footage captured the moment the earthquake struck the elephant enclosure. Five African elephants, initially basking in the morning sun, reacted swiftly.
Three older elephants, Ndlula, Umngani, and Khosi, immediately formed a protective circle around two 7-year-old calves, Zuli and Mkhaya. The park described this formation as an “alert circle,” a natural response to perceived threats.
The elephants maintained this defensive posture for several minutes, even after the tremors subsided. Mindy Albright, a mammal curator at the park, explained that elephants can sense sounds through their feet, prompting their quick reaction.
Within the circle, the older elephants remained vigilant, ears spread and flapping, while the calves stayed protected within. Albright noted the touching interaction between Khosi, a teenage female, and Mkhaya, the young male calf.
While Zuli sought immediate refuge between the adults, Mkhaya lingered at the circle’s edge, displaying a hint of youthful bravado. Khosi, however, gently nudged him back with her trunk, seemingly reassuring him and encouraging him to stay within the safety of the group.
This protective behavior highlights the intelligence and social bonds of elephants. Albright emphasized the maternal instinct displayed by the older elephants, stating, “It’s so great to see them doing the thing we all should be doing — that any parent does, which is protect their children.” The elephants briefly reformed their circle during an aftershock but dispersed once they sensed no further danger.
Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones indicated the earthquake likely originated from the Elsinore Fault, a branch of the San Andreas Fault system, approximately eight miles below the surface. At least seven aftershocks were recorded following the initial quake, the strongest measuring 4.0-magnitude.