Video footage shows a herd of adult elephants in California, USA forming a circle to protect their young elephants in the middle during a 5.2-magnitude earthquake on April 15 - Photo: REUTERS
According to the Guardian newspaper, on April 15, when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in California (USA), a herd of African elephants at the Safari Park of the San Diego Zoo immediately reacted quickly and touchingly to protect their young.
As the ground began to shake, the adult elephants immediately rushed to form a “circle of vigilance”, surrounding the two seven-year-old calves – Zuli and Mkhaya – to protect them from danger. The adults, Ndlula, Umngani and Khosi, faced outwards, ears spread wide, ready to face any threat.
The April 15 earthquake in California was felt from San Diego to Los Angeles, about 193km from the epicenter.
Although there was no major damage or casualties, the aftershocks sent large rocks rolling onto the streets and goods falling off shelves in some shops in the town of Julian near the epicenter.
As for the elephants, the sudden shaking made them highly alert.
According to Mindy Albright, a mammal expert at the park, this reaction is an instinctive behavior and demonstrates the intelligence and high sociality of elephants.
Elephants have the ability to sense vibrations through their feet, and when they sense danger, they often gather around to protect the baby in the middle, while the adult elephants stand on the outside to gather information about where the danger is coming from.
In the video, one calf immediately runs into the middle of the group of adults to find safety. The other male calf, Zuli, tries to stay out of the way to show his bravery. The female elephant Khosi gently pats Zuli on the back and face with her trunk to reassure and remind her to return to the protective circle.
Zuli is still a young elephant and is being cared for, but will eventually leave the herd to join the male group, while females like Mkhaya will spend their entire lives with the herd. "It's very touching to see them doing the same thing as humans - protecting their young from danger," Albright said.
After about an hour, a small aftershock caused the elephants to gather again, but this time they quickly calmed down and dispersed after determining that the danger was gone.
Although there was no damage or injury caused by the earthquake, the elephants' actions moved many people with their loving protective instinct.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/voi-truong-thanh-vay-vong-tron-bao-ve-voi-con-trong-tran-dong-dat-tai-bang-california-2025041608414205.htm
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