The man behind Hidden Valley Animal Adventure in Varysburg, New York of Wyoming County has died after being trampled by one of his animals.

81 year-old Hans Boxler was feeding animals in a fenced in laneway when he was trampled by a Nilgai Antelope that somehow had gotten out of its pen, according to the

He worked with animals his entire life and understood safety was important and respected the innate nature of his animals, which is why this tragic accident is such a shock. We will never know exactly what happened

Wyoming County Sherriff's office. Family members went looking for Boxler when he did not return at his usual time. They found the Antelope near its pen with an open door. At no time was the animal loose from its confinement, just out of its pen which is also secured by a secondary retention fence around the area.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner determined the death to be accidental and the cause of the death to be multiple blunt force injuries.

Boxler, a lifelong farmer and founder of Hidden Valley Animal Adventure, had a lifelong passion to farm and work with animals, his family said in a statement.  "He worked with animals his entire life and understood safety was important and respected the innate nature of his animals, which is why this tragic accident is such a shock. We will never know exactly what happened."

Hidden Valley Animal Adventure started nearly a century ago when Joseph Boxler sailed from Switzerland on the Queen Mary in 1920 with dreams of going to California. He stumbled upon the beautiful valley of Varysburg, bought some land, and started a dairy farm.

Joseph’s son, Hans Boxler, conceived Hidden Valley Animal Adventure in 2002. He wanted to share his love of animals and envisioned a place for families to come and enjoy a truly unique experience together.

Calling hours will be at The Lodge at Hidden Valley Animal Adventure Monday, July 25th and Tuesday, July 26th from 2pm-9pm. His celebration of life will continue Wednesday with a procession from The Lodge with his Belgian horses carrying him for one final ride to his funeral mass at St Joachim and Anne Church.

The Hidden Valley Animal Adventure will be closed Monday through Wednesday to honor Boxler's passing.

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