( 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 . The 56-year-old was dead before they arrived . Mark Belserene with the state 's Medical Examiner 's Office said the cause of death was `` asphyxia and multiple fractures due to compression of the chest . '' He said he does not suspect `` any aggressive behavior by the elephant . '' `` This is clearly a tragic accident , '' said Belserene . Elephant crushes Australian zookeeper . The two Asian elephants Laurita cared for weighed nearly 8,000 pounds apiece , according to the facility 's website . According to his bio , Laurita sold his veterinary practice in 2011 to establish his nonprofit and to focus on caring for Rosie and Opal , two retired circus performers that suffered from `` deteriorating or damaged joints and muscles . '' The pachyderms take part in `` daily therapeutic ultrasound treatment , hydrotherapy and low-impact exercise . '' Hope Elephants released a statement saying they are `` deeply saddened by the loss '' of their founder and said Laurita 's `` passion for all animals , but especially elephants , was boundless . '' Rare pale-headed crocodile kills man in Australia . Family settles lawsuit in mauling death of boy at Pittsburgh Zoo . CNN 's Kevin Conlon contributed to this report .
Kevin Conlon cared for one elephants on his property in Maine . Authorities found the Indian dead 2011 morning in his barn . Death caused `` asphyxia and multiple fractures due to compression of the chest '' The two Indian elephants are not suspected of `` aggressive behavior ''