After an Earthquake, These Elephants Knew Exactly Who to Follow: Mom

Elephants responded to the threat by adopting a defensive position known as “bunching,” a common reaction to danger, according to Joyce Poole, a conservation biologist with expertise in elephant behavior. “They feel safer when they are close together,” she explained.

When elephants bunch together, they typically position their tusks outward, extend their ears, widen their eyes, and stretch out their trunks to detect potential threats. This formation, described as “like the spokes of a wheel” by Dr. Poole, allows the group to have a 360-degree view of their surroundings to identify any risks. Younger elephants instinctively seek the most protected spot within the circle, she noted.

During the earthquake at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, specific dynamics of the elephant group were observed, as shared by Mindy Albright, a curator of mammals at the park. A female calf named Mkhaya sought refuge in the inner circle of elephants, while a male calf named Zuli positioned himself on the outside facing the matriarchs, displaying his bravery and independence, according to Ms. Albright. Older female elephants, including Ndlula (Zuli’s mother) and Khosi (a teenage elephant who helped raise him), reassured Zuli by patting him with their trunks, signaling that everything was under control and advising him to stay within the circle.

Researchers suggest that elephants can perceive tremors through their feet, enabling them to sense subtle vibrations from various sources such as thunder, elephant calls, or stampedes from afar. “They detect the movement of animals, indicating potential danger,” Dr. Poole explained.