Overview

• A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Julian, California, on April 14, 2025, with tremors felt across Southern California, including Los Angeles.
• African elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park instinctively formed an 'alert circle' to protect their calves, Zuli and Mkhaya, during the quake.
• The older elephants, Ndlula, Umngani, and Khosi, led the defensive response, encircling the young and standing guard for about four minutes before resuming normal activities.
• Experts highlighted the elephants' ability to sense seismic vibrations through their feet, which enabled their rapid and coordinated reaction.
• Aftershocks have continued in the region, but no injuries or major damage have been reported, and the elephants remain safe and close together.