Elephant apparently crushes caretaker to death in Maine

[magical thyme]

I wasn't going to post this in GD, but then I figured it's front page on CNN, so I guess that makes it of national interest. I live not too far from Hope, and figured that sooner or later I'd visit since it struck me as odd that somebody was setting up an elephant refuge here of all places.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/09/us/elephant-caretaker-crushed-to-death/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

CNN) -- A veterinarian with a passion for elephants died Tuesday, apparently crushed to death in "a tragic accident" by one of the giant mammals he spent his life caring for, authorities said.

Dr. Jim Laurita was the full-time caregiver for two elephants on his property in Hope, Maine. His rehabilitation facility and elephant "educational destination" was dubbed "Hope Elephants."

Knox County Sheriff's deputies were called to the facility Tuesday morning after "Dr. Laurita had fallen in the corral and struck his head on the cement floor" as he tended to the elephants, according to Sheriff Donna Dennison.

[joeybee12]

1. Very sad...sounds like an accident, no aggressive behavior...

I bet the elephant probably knows what he/she did...they're pretty smart and were probably pretty attached to this guy. He led a good life.

[magical thyme]

2. From what I read, I'm wondering if the elephant attempted to turn him over

or poke at him to try to rouse him, and inadvertently injured him.

Animals don't get the size/strength difference. I know my horse has no clue how big and strong she is, compared to me and our dogs. She accidentally "rolled" my labx with a back foot when he tried to herd her. She's treated him like glass every since and I have no doubt she regretted injuring him. Now if he runs up and nips at her heels, instead of running off she tucks her butt under and carefullly walks away.

[joeybee12]

3. That's very likely...

Very sad nonetheless...hope someone is able to take over his work.