KarunaNews Story

Elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park formed a protective ring around their calves as a 5.2 magnitude earthquake wobbled Southern California April 14, with the three older elephants (Ndlula, Umngani and Khosi) shielding two 7-year-old calves (Zuli and Mkhaya). African elephants live in tight-knit social groups based around a lead female, or matriarch, who will herd the offspring together as the adults form an outward-facing circle to keep the young safe. Once in a circle, "they sort of freeze as they gather information about where the danger is," says curator Mindy Albright. The female calf, Mkhaya, stayed in the center, while the male calf, Zuli, stood on the edge. Khosi repeatedly tapped Zuli on the back with her trunk, as if to say, "things are OK."