Elephant runs to rescue her human best friend from the river, and comes whenever he calls her name.
We talked to Derrick from Elephant Nature Park about their bond and the magical thing that happened after they were separated for over a year ❤️
We talked to Derrick from Elephant Nature Park about their bond and the magical thing that happened after they were separated for over a year ❤️
Category
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AnimalsTranscript
00:00She rushed to my safety to protect me from harm.
00:05She was very concerned because she at that time had already begun treating me as her own child.
00:10It was rainy season and I was just enjoying drifting.
00:14I started up on the bend way up behind me.
00:18Kamla was way down on the other side of the river.
00:21She was there with her family across the way and I called out her name and she rushed to my protection.
00:30I wasn't trying to make her scared or anything, but that's how she responded to seeing me in the river floating by.
00:37And then she got me to shore and tucked me under and checked me, smelled me, are you okay?
00:44You said that she ran to you when you called her name. Does she always run to you when you call her?
00:49Yeah, it's unbelievable.
00:51Kamla!
00:52Kamla!
00:53Kamla!
00:55Kamla!
00:57Kamla!
00:59When she sees me, she runs and calls everybody else to come along and join me.
01:04Kamla!
01:06Kamla!
01:10Does she do that with anyone else?
01:12No, she does it with no one else.
01:15Just me.
01:17She knows where I am.
01:20I can be hiding and eating downwind and she'll know I'm there.
01:25There's no reason for it. I didn't do anything. I never brought her special foods or treats.
01:31It's not a bond that was based on reward. It's just a bond that is.
01:37When you were gone for a long time, right, she'd do other work?
01:41Yeah, 14 months. Too long, but that's what COVID did.
01:45How did you think she was going to react when you came back?
01:48Sometimes when I'd go away to do elephant work, she'd be gone for a few days or sometimes as long as 10 days.
01:56Kamla!
01:58I'd come back and she'd turn her shoulder.
02:00Kamla!
02:02I'm not talking to you.
02:04So I was not expectant of the great welcome after being more than a year away.
02:09Kamla!
02:11And the welcoming was overwhelming.
02:19Kamla!
02:25Everybody came running and slapping.
02:29Kamla!
02:32Kamla!
02:35That was the initial greeting in the river and then afterwards she grabbed my hand and pulled me up on this bag and was hugging me a lot.
02:45It was kind of a big celebration for them and certainly overwhelming for me.
02:54It's like finding a soulmate, really. I love her with all my heart.
02:59You can't really put so many words to it other than value and appreciate it for what it is.
03:08Oh, that was Kamla who just called.
03:11Do you want to meet them?
03:14See, I hope the connection stays.
03:16You can see, watch.
03:18Kamla!
03:20Oh, Kamla!
03:27Right now I'm being crushed between Kamla's legs.
03:31She tucks me between her and then squeezes me tight so I can't go anywhere.
03:35Unfortunately, now that I've joined up with them, I don't know how long our conversation can last.
03:41Well, thank you so much, Indiana.
03:43No, thank you. That was so magical. Thank you so, so much.
03:49Bye-bye.