BPZOO Says Goodbye to Beloved Asian Elephant

It is with heavy hearts that the Buttonwood Park Zoo shares the passing of Ruth, a 66-year-old year Asian elephant who has called New Bedford home for the last 38 years. A beloved member of the Zoo family and icon throughout Greater New Bedford, Ruth was surrounded by her animal and veterinary care team at the time of her passing on Friday.

In October, BPZOO announced that Ruth had entered hospice care due to a consistent, age-related decline in her mobility. At that point in time, it was difficult to know how long she would remain comfortable.

“Ruth was beloved by so many,” BPZOO 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’s early life was spent as part of a herd at Benson’s Wild Animal Farm before being sold to a private owner in the late 1970s. She spent several years as an “elephant for hire” until she was confiscated by the Boston Animal Rescue League. Ruth arrived at BPZOO 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.

“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.”

As the calendar turned to December, the weather turned colder and the nights got longer, and Ruth’s team began discussing the inevitable next steps.

“Ruth was part of my daily routine since the day I started,” BPZOO veterinarian Dr. Emmy Budas said. “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.”

Ruth’s treatment included oral pain medications and supplemental pain management therapies, such as cold laser therapy and pulsed electromagnetic therapy. Despite these efforts, Ruth’s arthritis became debilitating.

“I was warned early on that Ruth can be stubborn and that if she did not want to participate in her treatment, there would be no convincing her otherwise. I was lucky that Ruth was willing to build a relationship with me – I truly feel she knew my purpose was just to make her feel better. When we talk about our elephant ‘herd’ here at the Zoo, we always include the elephant care team as part of it,” Dr. Budas said. “I think Ruth also accepted the veterinary team as a part of the herd, and it was an honor to have her do so. She is going to be missed dearly by every one of us.”

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.”

Mike McClure, founder of McClure International Consulting, lent his expertise to BPZOO’s elephant care team for many years.

“Buttonwood Zoo’s elephant program may not on the cutting edge of elephant breeding, EEHV research, or herd management and does not have the resources of the big zoos, but they have more heart and commitment to elephants than you could ask for. Through their quiet diligence and passion for their golden girls, Ruth and Emily, they have helped us change the game for geriatric elephant care. I am grateful for their trust over the years and honored to have been included as part of their incredible team”

In the more than 30 years since Ruth arrived at Buttonwood Park Zoo, she captivated the collective heart of our community, bringing joy to generations of visitors and her zookeepers, some of whom have cared for her for decades.

“Ruth was not just an elephant that I have been bonded to and taken care of for the last 24 years,” said Kay Santos, BPZOO’s head elephant keeper. “She was my companion, a teacher, and an inspiration. Ruth was such a big part of my life that I feel lost and empty without her. Through the years she has taught me how to be brave and strong. Words cannot express how much she will be missed.”

Ruth’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all those who had the privilege to meet her. Her story will continue to inspire future generations to respect and protect the wildlife that shares our planet.

The Buttonwood Park Zoo extends its deepest gratitude to Ruth for her years of grace and presence. Her memory will forever be a part of the Zoo, where she will be deeply missed.

The Zoo will be closed until Jan. 2, 2025, to allow the staff, as well as Emily – BPZOO’s 60-year-old Asian elephant and Ruth’s long-time companion – time to grieve this immense loss. A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held in the spring and all will be welcome to join in honoring her remarkable life.

Rest in peace, Ruthie. You were loved beyond words and will never be forgotten.