Hours before giant waves pounded coastlines in South Asia, many animals started behaving strangely In Sri Lanka, elephants trumpeted frantically and fled to higher grounds Bats and flamingos deserted low lying areas Many other animals escaped unharmed Wildlife experts are amazed that many animals survived the tsunami The series of huge waves led thousands of people in South Asia and East Africa in 2004 Experts say animals might have sed the approaching waves and moved to higher grounds"I think animals can sense disaster. They know when things are happening in nature, said an cial at the national wildlife department in Sri Lanka