Elephants Display Protective Behavior During Earthquake at San Diego Zoo
On Monday, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido witnessed a remarkable display of instinctual behavior from its herd of African elephants amid a 5.2 magnitude earthquake. As the tremors shook the ground around them, the elephants quickly formed a protective formation known as an alert circle around their young, showcasing their strong family bonds and survival instincts.
Understanding the Alert Circle
The phenomenon of the alert circle involves the adult elephants gathering closely around their youngest members as a defensive measure. Mindy Albright, the curator of mammals at the San Diego Zoo, explained that this behavior is observed in the wild and serves the crucial purpose of safeguarding juvenile elephants from potential threats.
Video footage captures the herd’s immediate response; as the earthquake struck around 10 a.m., the elder elephants instinctively encircled the calves. “It was fascinating to observe their swift coordination to protect the young and subsequently assess their surroundings,” said Albright. Elephants are known for their acute senses, particularly their ability to detect sounds through their feet and hear sounds at frequencies below human capabilities.
A Calm After the Quake
After approximately four minutes in the protective stance, the elephants assessed that the danger had passed. They gradually disbanded the formation but remained close together, indicating their comfort in being united as a herd.
Insights on Social Dynamics
The herd consists of several notable individuals: Ndlula and Umngani, both 35 years old, Khosi, aged 18, and the half-siblings Zuli and Mkhaya, who are both 7 years old. Interestingly, Zuli exhibited a growing sense of responsibility by position himself on the periphery of the circle instead of the center, demonstrating evolving social dynamics within the group.
The Importance of Family Structures
African elephants typically reach an age of 60 to 70 years in the wild, aided by their familial structures that promote cooperative care of young members. This protective behavior not only shields them from predators but also contributes significantly to their survival against dangers, including environmental ones like earthquakes.
Elephants communicate through a variety of sounds, including those that are inaudible to humans, which helps them convey warnings and coordinate group actions. Often, it is the matriarchs who lead the herd in making crucial decisions regarding safety during threats.
Previous Instances and Long-standing Behavior
This isn’t the first instance of elephants displaying such behavior at the San Diego Zoo. A similar alert formation was recorded in response to a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2010, underscoring the elephants’ innate capabilities to react to dangers in their environment.
Albright emphasizes the unique attributes of elephants, stating, “One of the aspects that makes them endearing is their profound connectedness, which is clearly illustrated during such instances.”