The Milwaukee County Zoo’s beloved geriatric elephant Ruth, injured in early September, fell again on Sept. 20, forcing her to be euthanized.
The 43-year-old African savanna elephant was first injured in a Sept. 2 fall, the result of what zoo officials called aggressive behavior from a herdmate, Belle, in a tussle over food. After initially showing an inability to stand up after the fall, she seemed on the mend, with a Sept. 5 update showing her walking around.
That was the last word for two weeks, until zoo officials posted the latest message acknowledging her tragic end. The reason for the latest fall wasn’t clear. Zoo officials instead focused what happened afterward.
According to posts on the zoo’s website and social media, after zookeepers found Ruth down and unable to get up on her own, they immediately began implementing a protocol, including alerting the Milwaukee Fire Department’s Heavy Urban Rescue Team, to lift her. Then came the difficult decision.
“The zoo’s veterinary staff arrived, and upon consult with elephant care staff, the Director of Animal Management and Health, and Executive Zoo Director, the decision was made to humanely euthanize Ruth,” zoo officials said in a blog post, adding “zookeepers were with her throughout the process. She showed no signs of discomfort.”
They noted that all three African savanna elephants at the zoo are considered geriatric. The median lifespan is about 39.4 years. That made it no less difficult for staff and caretakers.
“During euthanasia, she was surrounded by a large group of zookeepers and animal care staff who also supported each other throughout the process, giving comfort and sharing stories of Ruth. Zookeepers were also given time alone with Ruth to say goodbye,” zoo officials said in the news release.
Belle and the zoo’s third African savanna elephant, Brittany, are around the same age as Ruth, a previous Journal Sentinel story reported. The zoo’s Elephant Care Center was built to accommodate the needs of geriatric elephants, having a crane and remote lifting equipment, zoo officials had previously noted.
Ruth was in her outdoor habitat on Sept. 2 when she lost her footing on a log and fell onto her side around 11 a.m. Sept. 2, zoo officials said in a Facebook post that day. With help, she was lifted back onto her feet. On Sept. 5, zoo officials updated the public through another Facebook post, saying she was doing relatively well.
Zoo officials said a necropsy by the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine will be completed during the weekend, with additional information coming in several weeks.
Ruth had been a resident at the Milwaukee County Zoo since 2006.
Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 43-year-old African savanna elephant Ruth euthanized after latest fall