Jose Navarrete, 25, reached the elephant enclosure with his daughter after crossing multiple barriers, the release said.
Once the father and daughter were inside, an elephant noticed the couple and began trotting towards them, according to the release. When Navarrete tried to leave the fence with his two-year-old son, he dropped her but was able to retrieve her.
“There were no injuries to Navarrete, his daughter or the elephant,” the release said.
Navarrete was admitted to the San Diego County Jail, according to police. He is charged with child abuse and is currently being held on $ 100,000 bail.
CNN was unable to determine whether or not he has legal representation at this point and could not reach him for comment.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact the San Diego Police Department.