Ruth the elephant at Milwaukee County Zoo has died at age 43, zookeepers mourn loss

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Zookeepers and the community mourn the loss of 43-year-old Ruth, the African savanna elephant.

The Milwaukee County Zoo said she was euthanized inside the Zoo's Elephant Care Center after falling Saturday morning, Sept. 20.

"There's a lot that goes into taking care of animals. We birth them, we take care of them while they're alive, and in passing," said Milwaukee County Zoo Executive Director Amos Morris. 

Earlier this month, Ruth experienced a fall after being pushed by another elephant and needed to be rescued by Milwaukee first responders. 

On Saturday, zookeepers found her down and unable to get up on her own. The team performed a protocol to lift her up, and zoo veterinarians consulted with the care staff on the decision to humanely euthanize her, staff say.

"We have to ask ourselves 'what are we doing for us' opposed to 'what we are doing for the animal'," said Morris. "I strongly believe what we did yesterday was for the animal." 

During euthanasia, she was surrounded by zookeepers and care staff who said goodbye. 

According to the zoo's press release, the members of the zoo's elephant herd are considered seniors as they are all in their 40s. The life expectancy for a female African savanna elephant in care is 39.4 years old, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

After her passing, the vet staff collected plasma from Ruth as part of a plasma collection program.

Ruth was a donor in the system, and the zoo staff says this collection is considered a final gift from Ruth to help another elephant in need.

"Plasma can be lifesaving and she was a good plasma donor. That will be banked and can be used later. So she will be helping other elephants," said Morris.

The two other members of her herd, Brittany and Belle, were given time to see Ruth and space to process her death.

As of right now, they don't know if the zoo will get another elephant.