Did animals sense the earthquake?

According to wildlife officials in Sri Lanka, there have been no reported animal deaths after huge waves washed 3.5km inland, swamping the country.

The waves got as far as the Yala National Park, the country's biggest wildlife reserve, killing 40 people.

But despite damage to buildings none of the elephants, crocodiles, jackals and deer there are reported to have died.

It's lead to claims animals have a sixth sense and can predict disasters but experts say they're just sensitive.

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Conservation worker Debbie Marter said she was not surprised by the lack of death because wild animals notice changes in air pressure, vibrations, and sound.

"They've got extremely good hearing and they will probably have heard this flood coming in the distance," said Ms Marter.

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There are many accounts of animals acting strangely or moving away from their area before natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Experts hope that if the reports turn out to be true, they may be able to help humans use these animal instincts.