AUGUSTA — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration office in Augusta on Thursday confirmed that the federal agency is investigating the Sept. 9 death of James Laurita, who was crushed by one of his elephants after he fell and hit his head on the concrete walkway around the animals’ pen. Though no more details were […]
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Posted inMaine
Shelter director: Old friends trumpet arrival of Hope elephants in Oklahoma
HOPE — A week after Hope Elephants co-founder Jim Laurita’s sudden, tragic death in his elephant pen, the two Asian elephants he always called “his girls” are settling in at the Endangered Ark Foundation in Hugo, Oklahoma. Rosie and Opal left Maine over the weekend and were transported by truck nearly 2,000 miles to their […]
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Hope Elephants directors explain decision to return Rosie, Opal to herd in Oklahoma
HOPE — The Hope Elephants board of directors asked their supporters for time to mourn and regroup on Thursday, as they gave a more detailed explanation of why retired circus elephants Rosie and Opal will leave Maine following their handler Jim Laurita’s death in their pen earlier this week. “Our plan from the outset was […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Hope elephants to return to Oklahoma preserve
“Jim is truly irreplaceable, leaving a monumental hole in our community and beyond,” the directors wrote on the Facebook page of Hope Elephants. “(He) was unequivocal in expressing his belief that our first responsibility was to ensure the continued well-being of Rosie and Opal. To that end, at least for the present, we will be […]
Posted inMaine
After Hope Elephants founder’s death, Rosie and Opal going back to Oklahoma
HOPE — A day after Dr. Jim Laurita was crushed to death by one of his two retired circus elephants, the directors of his nonprofit agency announced that Rosie and Opal will be returned to the Oklahoma facility where they lived before he brought them to Maine. “Jim is truly irreplaceable, leaving a monumental hole […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Elephant sanctuary founder dies after elephant steps on him
Knox County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they found James Laurita, 56, unresponsive Tuesday in the barn at the foundation in Hope, about 90 miles northeast of Portland. Laurita appeared to have fallen before one of the foundation’s two elephants apparently stepped on him, police said, citing a medical examiner’s report. Tending to the animals was […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Hope Elephants founder dies at facility
Knox County Sheriff deputies say they found 56-year-old James Laurita unresponsive on Tuesday morning. Police say Laurita appeared to have fallen and struck his head on a cement floor. A medical examiner will determine his cause of death. Laurita founded Hope Elephants with his brother in 2011. The elephants — named Rosie and Opal — […]