Hours before giant waves pounded coastlines in South Asia, many
animals started behaving strangely. In Sri Lanka, elephants trumpeted
frantically and fled to higher ground. Bats and flamingos deserted lowlying
areas. Many other animals escaped unharmed.
Wildlife experts are amazed that many animals survived the
tsunami.1
The series of huge waves killed thousands of people in
South Asia and East Africa in 2004. Experts say animals might have
sensed the approaching waves and moved to higher ground.
"I think animals can sense disaster. They know when things are
happening in nature," said an official at the national wildlife
department in Sri Lanka.