 Staff at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington , D.C. , reported that some of the animals in the park appeared to show behavior suggesting that they anticipated the earthquake from seconds to minutes before it was felt in the area . The earthquake was felt at the great ape exhibits during afternoon feeding time . About three to ten seconds before the quake , many of the apes abandoned their food and climbed to the top of a tree @-@ like structure in the exhibit . The red @-@ ruffed lemurs sounded an alarm call about 15 minutes before the quake , and the flock of 64 flamingos rushed about and grouped themselves together just before the quake . During the quake , some animals vocalized , some ran or dove for cover , and some stood up and stared at the walls of their enclosures . Some of the animals remained agitated for the rest of the day , while others calmed quickly . 
