SAN DIEGO (CNN) – Video from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park shows the African elephants’ reaction to Monday’s earthquake in Southern California.
Zoo officials say the elephants engaged in a behavior known as an “alert circle,” which is meant to protect the young and the entire herd from threats.
The group of elephants can be seen instinctively circling a calf to protect it.
They resumed normal behavior after a few minutes, though they stayed close to one another.
No damage was reported at the San Diego Zoo or the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, though the park’s aerial tram was temporarily closed. It is now back open.
Monday’s earthquake registered with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2.
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