Herd of elephants protect young calves at San Diego Zoo during earthquake

The video filmed by San Diego Wildlife Alliance shows the adult elephants circling the two young calves.

A video filmed during a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in Southern California shows five elephants at San Diego Zoo Safari Park huddling together to protect their young.

“They sort of freeze as they gather information about where the danger is,” said Mindy Albright, a curator of mammals at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Elephants are highly intelligent and social animals that have the ability to feel sound through their feet.

When they perceive a threat, they often bunch together in a circle typically with the young clustered in the centre and the adults facing outward to defend the group.

Young elephants are protected by the herd and as they grow their role changes. When young male elephants mature into bulls they move to join a bachelor group while the female elephants stay with the family unit for their entire lives.

The elephants at San Diego Safari Park shielded two young calves, Zuli and Makhaya, during the 5.2 magnitude earthquake. / Credit: AP

“It’s so great to see them doing the thing we all should be doing — that any parent does, which is protect their children,” Albright said.

About an hour later when an aftershock hit, they briefly huddled again and then dispersed once they determined everyone was safe.

The quake, according to the US Geological Survey, struck at 10.08am local time, and was centred in San Diego County only a couple miles (four kilometers) from Julian, a mountain town of about 1,500 people that is known for its apple pie shops. It was felt as far north as Los Angeles County, about 120 miles (193 kilometers) away. The quake was followed by several aftershocks.

Officials reported no injuries or major damage.