Elephants’ bizarre reaction to 5.2 magnitude earthquake

Elephants at a San Diego zoo have been caught on camera during a unique moment as an earthquake shook the area.

Incredible footage has emerged of the moment a herd of elephants sprung into action to protect their youngest during a 5.2 magnitude earthquake.

The video, shot at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Monday, shows the enclosure of five African elephants where the mammals can be seen relaxing in the sun just before the quake hits.

As the camera starts to shake, indicating the beginning of the rumble, the elephants quickly begin to scatter in different directions.

They stand in a line and survey their surroundings before huddling together. Picture: San Diego Zoo

In an incredible shot, the five elephants can be seen in a line, surveying all angles of their surroundings.

As the quake continues, the older elephants – Ndlula, Umngani, and Khosi – form an “alert circle” around the two seven-year-old calves, Zuli and Mkhaya.

An alert circle, as the moving display of protection is known by zoo officials, is elephant behaviour intended to protect younger members of the herd from threats.

Also known as a defensive or protective circle, it involves the elephants forming a tight, outward-facing ring around their vulnerable members.

The adults position themselves shoulder-to-shoulder, with tusks and trunks ready to deter or charge at the danger, while the young stay safely in the centre.

Elephants have the unique ability to feel sounds through their feet, meaning they likely would have detected the vibrations of the earthquake moments before it happened.

The five elephants can be seen gathering in an ‘alert circle’ as the ground shakes. Picture: San Diego Zoo

The elephants reportedly remained huddled for four minutes before dispersing, but continued to stay close together afterwards.

The quake was centred near San Diego, but shockwaves were felt as far as Los Angeles more than 160 kilometres away, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS)

Parts of a fallen cliff face block the road. Picture: X/SDCaltrans

Authorities urged residents to “Drop, cover and hold on” as tremors shook high-rise buildings.

The quake had an intensity of IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale – strong enough to wobble cars and rattle windows, with a sensation like a “heavy truck hitting building,” according to USGS.

In videos posted online, dogs and cats can be seen bolting out of homes and cowering undercover as the ground rocks beneath them.

Users took to social media to share their experiences with the quake.

“I was actually terrified,” said one person.

“That was the biggest quake I’ve felt in 15 years in San Diego,” said another.

“It literally shook the life out of us — everything rattling, heart racing. I’ve never felt anything this intense,” a third person said.

A clip posted to TikTok shows a labrador peacefully sitting outside just moments before the earthquake hit.

The dog, which appeared to be home alone, quickly bolts under the trampoline in an attempt to take cover.

“She sensed something and definitely was scared,” said the owner of the labrador.

An emergency alert warned residents that “Aftershocks are possible – stay inside and away from unstable structures.”

Residents were also told to “text their loved ones”.