Massachusetts zoo mourns death of 66-year-old elephant Ruth
NEW BEDFORD – Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford is mourning the death of a 66-year-old elephant that has been an iconic member of the zoo for nearly 40 years.
Massachusetts elephant dies
The zoo announced the death of Ruth, an Asian elephant who arrived at the facility in 1986 after spending part of her early years at Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson until it was sold in the late 1970s. Ruth was then an "elephant for hire" until being confiscated by Animal Rescue League of Boston.
Ruth entered hospice in October due to what the zoo described as "consistent, age-related decline in her mobility."
"Ruth was beloved by so many," Shara Rapoza, interim director of Buttonwood Park Zoo, said. "We wanted to invite the public into the process because while she means so much to our former and present animal care team, we also know that she touched countless others with her gentle nature, immense strength, and obvious intelligence. She is a symbol of compassion and resilience for so many."
Ruth the Buttonwood Park Zoo elephant
Zoo officials said that when she arrived at Buttonwood Park Zoo, Ruth was timid and had some medical complications.
"The animal that arrived here when I was just 16 years old is not the same Ruthie that we all grew to love," Rapoza said. "It took time, but she settled in to an easier lifestyle here. I called her our thinker – she was smart and knew how to carefully assess a situation. She was incredibly sassy and was always testing staff members. She was the one who decided who was allowed into the herd."
Rapoza said Ruth was "a true ambassador for her species" because she received groundbreaking treatment for a condition called proliferative pododermatitis. The condition causes too much tissue to grow around the nails, toes, or pads of her feet.
Ruth responded so well to treatment from elephant foot experts that it is now used worldwide.
Buttonwood Park Zoo will be closed until Thursday to allow staff and Emily, a 60-year-old Asian elephant that is Ruth's longtime companion, "time to grieve this immense loss." A celebration of life will be held in the spring.
