A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck the San Diego area yesterday at 10:08 AM, sending seismic waves through Southern California and Mexico. While there were no reports of injuries or damage, it was still enough to spook the African elephants at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who quickly jumped into action to form an “alert circle.” You can watch the remarkable moment below.
The zoo’s live cam managed to capture the five elephants throughout the earthquake. While they initially ran in different directions, the elephants quickly regrouped, with the three older ones gathering in a protective stance to shield the two 7-year-old calves from potential harm.
Even after the tremors stopped, the group remained in the “alert circle” for several minutes. Eventually, the herd went back to normal but stayed near each other.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s elephant herd consists of elder members Ndlula, Umngani, Khosi, and young calves Zuli and Mkhaya.
“Elephants 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,” wrote the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance on X. “This behavior is a natural response to perceived threats to protect the herd.”
San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s curator of mammals Mindy Albright told the Associated Press that elephants in an alert circle “sort of freeze as they gather information about where the danger is.” Typically, this means that the young go to the center with the adults facing outward to defend the group. Albright explains that in the video, the male calf Zuli stays on the edge of the circle to show his courage, but the two elder female elephants tap him with their trunks to reassure him.
The San Diego Zoo operates numerous other live cams where you can watch their animal residents in real-time, including their two resident platypuses, Giant pandas, koalas, polar bears, hippos, penguins, and tigers.