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Milwaukee Zoo Euthanizes Ruth the Elephant after Fall

Incident Date:
09/21/2025
Location:
Milwaukee, WI - USA
Facility Name:
Milwaukee Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Elephants
Animal:
Elephant
Animal disposition:
Dead

Summary:

MILWAUKEE, WI – The Milwaukee Zoo announced that they euthanized Ruth inside the Zoo’s Elephant Care Center after falling in the morning on Sept. 20. According to the zoo, zookeepers found Ruth down and unable to get up on her own. They immediately went through protocols to lift a downed animal, which includes assistance from the Milwaukee Fire Department. The zoo’s veterinary staff arrived and consulted with the elephant care staff, the director of animal management and health, and the executive zoo director. The decision was then made to euthanize Ruth. She was 43 years old.

The zoo also offered other elephants, Brittany and Belle, the opportunity to enter the stall with her to give them space to see and smell Ruth, which is normal behavior for socially bonded animals when one of them passes away. Each elephant was given time alone with Ruth to process her death. Ruth also fell and was unable to get up on her own earlier this month.

She arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo in December 2006, joining Brittany, who came to the Zoo in June 2001. Belle was the latest addition to the herd in 2019.

Action take by Born Free USA:

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