78°F
weather icon Clear
Las Vegas, NV
Nation and World

Sanctuary founder trampled to death by elephant

Dr. Jim Laurita was found dead inside the animals’ enclosure at his Hope Elephant facility in Hope, Maine, on Tuesday, trampled by one of the elephants. (Courtesy/Hope Elephants/Facebook)
Dr. Jim Laurita sold his private veterinary practice in 2011 to create the organization and took in two elderly and disabled performing elephants, Rosie and Opal, according to the company’s website. (Courtesy/Hope Elephants/Facebook)
More Stories
Passengers wait in a security line at Denver International Airport on Feb. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/ ...
Passengers flee smoking jet on emergency slide after apparent landing gear problem at Denver airport
Walmart employees and customers wait outside while law enforcement investigates the scene after ...
Authorities seek to file terrorism and assault charges against suspect in Walmart knife attack
Police vehicle lights. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Cincinnati brawl captured on viral video appears to have left at least 2 injured
A traveler walks through the Southwest Airlines ticketing counter area at the Los Angeles Inter ...
Southwest pilot said flight plunged to avoid another aircraft
REUTERS
September 10, 2014 - 6:36 am
 

The founder of a Maine sanctuary for old and injured elephants was trampled to death by one of the elephants under his care, the company, Hope Elephants, and local media said on Tuesday.

Jim Laurita, 56, was found dead inside the animals’ enclosure at his Hope Elephant facility in Hope, Maine, on Tuesday, the Bangor Daily News reported.

The Maine medical examiner’s office said Laurita died of asphyxiation after his chest was crushed and that his death was accidental, the Daily News said.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office said Laurita’s injuries were consistent with being stepped on by one of the four-ton animals, the Daily News reported.

The company confirmed the death in a statement on their website on Tuesday.

“Hope Elephants is deeply saddened by the loss of our founder, Dr. Jim Laurita. Jim’s passion for all animals, but especially elephants, was boundless,” the statement said.

Hope Elephants did not immediately respond to requests for additional detail on Laurita’s death.

Laurita sold his private veterinary practice in 2011 to create the organization and took in two elderly and disabled performing elephants, Rosie and Opal, according to the company’s website.

MOST READ
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Walmart employees and customers wait outside while law enforcement investigates the scene after ...
Authorities seek to file terrorism and assault charges against suspect in Walmart knife attack
By MIKE HOUSEHOLDER, RYAN SUN and MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

Grand Traverse County Sheriff Michael Shea said a motive behind the attack by Bradford Gille, 42, of Afton, Michigan, remains unclear. Gille, who Shea said had “prior assaultive incidents as well as controlled substance violations,” said very little as he was arrested.

Wrestler Hulk Hogan attends the NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment 2015 Upfront at The Javits Cen ...
Hulk Hogan, icon in professional wrestling, dies at 71
By Curt Anderson and Ed White The Associated Press

Hulk Hogan won a world championship in Las Vegas in 1993 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and WWE chairman Vince McMahon.

MORE STORIES