An Update on Elephant Ruth

As soon as Ruth fell and was unable to rise, the Zoo began implementing its planned protocol to lift a down animal, which includes alerting the Milwaukee Fire Department’s Heavy Urban Rescue Team (HURT) as well as Dawes Rigging and Crane. The Zoo’s animal care team, as well as our grounds, forestry, and maintenance teams, regularly train through drills and prepare with the HURT team for an incident such as this. Dawes has long been part of the Zoo’s response plan, as well.

A front-load vehicle, operated by one of the Zoo’s vehicle machine operators and carefully guided by our elephant care coordinator, provided leverage for Ruth to ultimately be able to get up on her own and walk into the indoor habitat. From there, the Zoo’s veterinary team performed an exam to assess Ruth’s wellbeing.

According to our veterinary team, Ruth is doing well, and they continue to monitor her closely, daily and overnight, watching her behavior as well as monitoring her bloodwork. She has resumed her normal training sessions with the animal care team and has been in the outdoor habitat.

The aggression between Belle and Ruth appears to be related to food, which is not abnormal behavior. Though Ruth ultimately lost her footing on a log in the habitat, they will continue to be a staple of the outdoor yard because they are very good for the elephant’s dental health. The logs create natural enrichment and a more complex habitat to stimulate them. The animal care team will continue to watch all of the Zoo’s elephants closely.

Please feel free to visit Ruth and all of our elephants on your next visit to the Zoo.