Ruth, one of the oldest elephants in professional care, is in hospice

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — The Buttonwood Park Zoo said that Ruth, one of the oldest elephants in professional care, has entered hospice care.

At 66 years old, Ruth has surpassed the median life expectancy for Asian elephants, which is 47 years.

Since 1968, Ruth has been a beloved member of the Greater New Bedford community and the zoo, according to the BPZOO.

“Ruth is a true icon in New Bedford,” Director of Zoological Services Gary Lunsford said. “We anticipate an outpouring of support from those who love Ruth as much as we do, and please know every member of the staff, current or former, appreciates it very much.”

In her later years, Ruth has battled pododermatitis, which causes excessive tissue growth around the nails, toes, or pads of an elephants feet.

In 2021, Ruth was the first to test a new treatment for pododermatitis in elephants, which has since successfully helped elephants with the condition worldwide, according to the BPZOO.

BPZOO said that the staff is making sure she is comfortable through quality of life assessments and daily monitoring during her time in hospice.