Chris Gallucci: Elephant Man

Quite some time ago I made a post or two or three about when I lived in California and did volunteer work for Tippi Hedren’s Shambala Preserve.  One of the people working there was (and still is) Chris Gallucci.  When I first met Chris I was told he wasn’t very friendly and would tell you to go “f” off as much as say hello.   So I watched Chris… Chris was the Elephant Man…he took care of Tippi’s Elephants.

I also took pictures of Chris and Timbo whenever I was there, and for what it’s worth..I liked Chris!  He was an X-hardcore biker.  He also, from stories I heard, had been in jail a number of times….but no matter what was said about Chris, he loved those Elephants..especially the big Bull, Timbo.  You could see it in how he cared for him and you could see that he put all his love and being into Timbo.  Anyone who couldn’t see that had to be blind.

I came across the fact that a book had been put out about Chris and Timbo. Elephant Man. It’s mostly photographs taken by a professional photographer named Nomi Baumgartl… Let me show you some of her photos from the book.. I took photo’s when the book is opened and they aren’t great and I apologize to her for that..but here they are..

When I worked at Shambala Chris didn’t have a white beard! ..gads when did I get so old?

 

When I saw this photo in the book I got a smile a mile wide… it’s MY photo!!!!!! I took the picture along with others and gave them to Chris.. I was thrilled that he was able to make use of it!

Now..… below are photo’s I took of Timbo and of Chris some 15 or 18 yrs ago when I did volunteer work at Shambala..… I took the pictures of Chris and Timbo because I wanted Chris to have them…and I have been forever glad I did.

again.. these are snapshots of color Xeroxed pictures I have that are also in page protectors, so not the greatest but it was easier for me to do it this way.

This is the Chris I knew….

If an elephant can really love someone… Timbo loved Chris.

his back pockets were always ready with carrots for Timbo

So this is Chris.. he was a young man on a downward spiral that got saved by a big elephant.

and Timbo… his savior

Man and Beast… a love story.

A few years ago Timbo passed away.  Chris had to make a life altering adjustment, but in the end he stayed at Shambala and still helps Tippi with all the other wild animals , but I am sure there is a hole in his heart as big as a certain African Bull Elephant.

If you’d like to learn a little more about Shambala just click the link.