Celebration of life planned after passing of Ruth the elephant
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — Sad news from New Bedford’s Buttonwood Park Zoo as local icon Ruth the Asian elephant has died.
A spokesperson for the zoo says Ruth died on Friday surrounded by her care team.
She was 66-years-old.
Ruth was at the zoo for nearly four decades, and touched the hearts of many.
She first came to New Bedford with numerous health issues after being an “elephant for hire.”
One of the treatments used to help her was so successful that it’s now been used around the world to help other elephants.
The zoo will be closed until January 2 to allow staff to mourn her loss.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring.
