Elephant Man

The story of an unusual relationship -- and how an unruly giant healed a broken man.

Chris Gallucci ran away from home at 12. By 16 he was in prison for the first time, but not the last. His life was playing out on the fringes of society, characterized by rebellion and aggression. Change seemed unlikely until he happened upon the film set of Roar, a movie featuring Hollywood actress Tippi Hedren (The Birds) and her daughter, Melanie Griffith, as well as a variety of lions, pumas, tigers and elephants. Chriswas immediately fascinated by Timbo, the gigantic bull elephant known for its misbehavior, and applied for a job as an elephant trainer on the small ranch that was its home. To win Timbo's trust, Chris chained himself up in the elephant's enclosure and tossed away the key. It was the start of a 30-year relationship that would tame the savage in Chris.

Powerful photos capture the essence of elephant man Chris Gallucci's life: the small world of the ranch, walks with Timbo on the edge of the Mojave Desert, his training regime with the huge bull. Extracts from Chris's diary provide a window into his soul.

Elephant Man inspires with the silent power of an intense spiritual connection between animal and man.

A biography about an unusual pairing: the 30 year relationship between a bull elephant and a rebellious man. Powerful photographs as well as diary extracts capture the essence of their life as well as the deep connection between animal and man.

Nomi Baumgartl is an internationally acclaimed photographer specializing in images that show the connection between man and nature. Her work has received prestigious awards, and her pictures are frequently published and exhibited.

Chris Gallucci, author, biker and elephant trainer, lives in Acton, California. Since Timbo's death, Chris has continued to work as preserve supervisor at Shambala, the wild animal reserve on the edge of the Mojave Desert.

Daniel Opitz is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of Ocean Mind, an independent film, photo and television production company. His work includes The Elephant Man (also called Tusks and Tattoos), which has been shown worldwide at film festivals and on television (Animal Planet).