A 56-year old elephant caretaker in Maine has been found dead. The man identified as Dr. James Laurita is the founder of Hope Elephants Facility. Laurita was killed by none other than the animal he had cared for.
On Tuesday, James Laurita was found crushed to death by one of the elephants he had been caring for. The death is considered a "tragic accident." Authorities of the Knox County were called to the elephant facility. According to Sheriff Donna Dennison, while tending to the elephants James had accidentally fallen into the coral where he struck his head on the floor. Laurita was confirmed dead even before the authorities had arrived.
Additional reports state that Laurita died of "asphyxia and multiple fractures due to compression of the chest" which were injuries consistent with someone who had been stepped on by an elephant. None of the elephants in the facility were deemed aggressive which clearly points out that Laurita's death was an accident.
Before his tragic demise, Laurita had been caring for two Asian elephants named Opal and Rosie, weighing around 8,000 pounds. Both elephants were retired from a circus due to their "deteriorating or damaged joints and muscles" and at the facility they received "daily therapeutic ultrasound treatment, hydrotherapy and low-impact exercise." The Hope Elephants Facility, which was approximately a 1,200-square foot barn, was located next door to Laurita's home where he lived with his wife and two kids.
With Laurita's death, the facility has been closed with no reports as to when it would reopen for the public. Regarding the tragic death of their founder, Hope Elephants Facility stated their deep sadness for the sudden loss of Laurita and that his "passion for all animals, but especially elephants, was boundless."
"Everyone was enthused and bought into what he was doing because everyone loved Jim and if Jim was passionate about it we should be passionate about it too, and that was really the gift he had," said Jon Duke, Hope's town administrator.
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