Elephants' Protective Circle During California Quake

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California, affecting regions from San Diego to Los Angeles. During the quake, a herd of elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park demonstrated protective instincts by forming an 'alert circle' around their young calves, Zuli and Mkhaya. The older elephants, Ndlula, Umngani, and Khosi, encircled the calves to shield them from perceived threats, maintaining their protective stance for several minutes. This behavior highlights the elephants' social intelligence and ability to sense threats through vibrations felt in their feet. Although the quake caused rockslides and minor disruptions, there were no reports of injuries or major damage. Videos of the elephants' response went viral, capturing public admiration for their instinctual protective actions.