Following a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in Southern California, elephants at the San Diego Zoo created an 'alert circle,' showcasing their protective behavior. Three adult females formed a tight circle around two calves, instinctively reacting to the tremors. Expert Joshua Plotnik emphasizes elephants' ability to sense vibrations and their strong social structure in responding to threats. This behavior reflects their complex nature and community bonds, but understanding how they interpret dangers is crucial for their survival amid unknown challenges.
One minute the elephants were basking in the sun; the next, they were reacting as the ground began to shake. The three adult females scanned their surroundings and quickly banded together.
Experts call this behavior an 'alert circle,' a response matriarch elephants display when they perceive a threat. 'Elephants are highly social, they take care of each other,' says Joshua Plotnik.
Plotnik says this instinct to protect one another is at the core of the alert circle, a strategy for banding together when danger is near.
Learning more about elephants' responses to threats is key to protecting these endangered animals in an evolving world.
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