Of all the animals at Shambala to whom we have had to say goodbye, this one is extremely difficult. We didn't expect this. The new state of the art corral, designed by Timbo's best friend, Chris Gallucci, had been completed in one month, with everyone working non-stop, weekends included.

Timbo entered the new compound slowly and cautiously on Sunday, June 5th, he had 5 days of living freely in his new home, with the sky and the stars above his head.

Thursday night, around 9:00 o'clock, Timbo's rear legs could not support him any longer. He went down and could not get up. He slept for 6 hours and was still unable to get up. We called in a crane to assist him in standing, which was unsuccessful . The myopathy of his hind leg muscles had made a final decision for him. During the attempt to help him up, he suffered a sudden, irreversible cardiac arrest.

To never have the thrill of seeing that magnificent animal walk in the river bed, observe the high intelligence with which he constantly amazed us, to be graced with his affection, to be in absolute awe of his power, laugh at his sense of humor, to never hear the rumble that told of his happiness, pleasure, or delight in seeing you is almost unthinkable. I'm thankful for the amazing memories that run through my mind. How fortunate we are to have lived with the mighty Timbo. Chris was thought of by Timbo as being an elephant, about as high an honor as could ever be bestowed on a human. The physical loss of Timbo for Chris is so monumental only Chris can feel the depth of that emptiness.

As we sat there with Timbo in those early morning hours, those of us who loved and cared for him, Chris Gallucci, Trudy, Chui, and Chris Orr, the staff and I urging him to try to get up, we finally realized he was leaving us and we said our goodbyes. Timbo rumbled his farewell to Chris and to us; Chris quietly called out, "Timbo", as he always did when Timbo rumbled, and then he was gone. Profound!

With abounding love, and enormous gratitude for the gift of your friendship of 33 years. Please visit us in our dreams.