Veterinarian and co-founder of the Hope Elephant Sanctuary in Maine, Dr. Jim Laurita, was found dead on Tuesday morning, allegedly due to being stepped on by one of the animals he was taking care of.

According to reports, Dr. Laurita had entered the elephant pen to feed the animals when he fell and was stepped on the chest by one of the two Asian elephants inside.  

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The 56-year-old doctor was found by one of the staff in the sanctuary who notified the authorities immediately.

According to the state medical examiner Dr. Flomenbaum, Lauirta suffered from multiple chest fractures as a result of being stepped on repeatedly by the elephant. He eventually died of asphyxiation.

Police initially stated that Dr. Laurita might have fallen then banged his head on the floor, causing his death.

In their statement, they wrote that while the vet was tending to his routine, he struck his head on the cement floor. However, following the autopsy on Tuesday, this theory was ruled out. 

The Hope Elephant Sanctuary website released a statement saying that they are deeply saddened by the death of their founder and praised the doctor's passion for all animals. They added that through the education that Dr. Laurita imparted, the importance of wildlife conservation will be continued by them.

Jim and his brother Tom started the Hope Elephant Sanctuary in Hope, Maine in 2011 where they took care of retired elephants.

Sources say that Dr. Laurita had worked with the two elephants prior to taking them to Hope Sanctuary. Reportedly, the two elephants, named Rosie and Opal, retired from the Carson & Barnes Circus where Jim worked as an elephant handler back in the 70s.

According to a representative of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the sanctuary will still be fully operational since another elephant handler is on staff and emergency plans had already been prearranged in the past.

Upon knowing about the death of the owner, people lined up offering bouquets of flowers outside the sanctuary. 

TagsElephant Sanctuary, Maine, Hope Elephants, Dr. Jim Laurita, Crushed, died, Stepped on, laurita, jim laurita, Hope Elephants, retired elephants, Elephant Sanctuary