Ruth, beloved elephant at New Bedford zoo, dies at 66

Ruth, the 66-year-old year Asian elephant who called New Bedford home for the last 38 years, has passed away.

A release from the Buttonwood Park Zoo said Ruth was surrounded by her animal and veterinary care team at the time of her passing on Friday.

“Ruth was beloved by so many,” Buttonwood Park Zoo Interim Director Shara Rapoza 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 arrived at Buttonwood Park Zoo in 1986 a little timid, and with a partial paralysis in the center portion of trunk. She had also been diagnosed with skeletal conformational abnormalities, resulting in an uneven distribution of pressure on parts of her feet and joints while walking and standing.

“As a geriatric animal, she required a variety of medications and treatments, and for many months, she tolerated long sessions of pain management. Despite our efforts, I was seeing a steady decline – presenting as a significant decrease in her mobility, and a significant increase in her pain,” said Veterinarian Dr. Emmy Budas.

Ruth also battled proliferative pododermatitis, which causes too much tissue to grow around the nails, toes, or pads of her feet. The pododermatitis developed secondary to Ruth’s uneven distribution of weight on her feet. In 2021, Ruth’s pododermatitis was so significant that the zoo had a team of veterinary and elephant foot experts come out to assist with her treatment. This treatment was so beneficial, it is now being used worldwide.

“Ruth was a true ambassador for her species,” Rapoza said. “She helped pioneer new treatments for elephants with pododermatitis, all while raising awareness about the conservation of Asian elephants and the importance of preserving their natural habitats,” she said.

The zoo will be closed until Jan. 2 to allow the staff time to grieve the loss.

The zoo said a celebration of Ruth’s life will be held in the spring and all will be welcome to join in honoring her remarkable life.