Ndlula, Umngani and Khosi — scramble to encircle and shield the two 7-year-old calves, Zuli and Mkhaya, from any possible threats.

Heart-melting video shows African elephants at the San Diego Zoo instinctively forming a protective circle after the earthquake hit Southern California.

The zoo reported the herd returned to normal behavior a few minutes after the earthquake, though they continued to remain close.