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.
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