Elephants' protective circle during San Diego quake amazes experts
In San Diego, an unusual event took place during an earthquake when the elephants at the zoo formed a protective circle, which was captured on video. The zoo released footage highlighting the intelligence of these animals.
On 14 April, California was struck by an earthquake felt from San Diego to Los Angeles. An extraordinary behaviour of elephants was recorded at the San Diego Safari Park.
San Diego Zoo - extraordinary behaviour of elephants
The animals formed a circle, shielding the young ones from the tremors. This phenomenon is known as a "warning circle."
Adult elephants stood on the outside, while the young ones were in the middle, which was intended to protect them from the effects of the earthquake. After the tremors subsided, the animals dispersed. This behaviour shows how intelligent and social these animals are.
Animals can predict disasters
Animals often display the ability to predict disasters. An example is mice in Japan, which altered their behaviour after the earthquake in 2011. Similar abilities are attributed to fish and rodents. These animals can detect subtle changes in the environment, such as ground vibrations, changes in atmospheric pressure, or electromagnetic fields.
Many people have observed that just before a disaster, animals become restless, abandon their nests, or migrate to different places. Scientists continue to study these phenomena, attempting to understand the mechanisms behind animal intuition.
Elephants are known for their developed social and emotional bonds. Their funeral rituals resemble mourning, as confirmed by findings in India, where elephants buried the bodies of the young in trenches.
Elephants, like dolphins and some parrots, produce personalised sounds that can be considered names. This is further evidence of their advanced communication abilities.
