New Bedford to Memorialize Beloved Zoo Elephant Ruth

Plans are in the works for a memorial ceremony to remember the beloved Asian elephant Ruth, who passed away on Friday, December 27. Ruth arrived at New Bedford's Buttonwood Park Zoo in 1986.

Ruth, suffering from debilitating arthritis and other health issues, began hospice care in October. She was 66.

City of New Bedford Public Information Officer Jonathan Darling said the City is "looking at having a memorial ceremony for Ruth at the zoo in the spring."

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"The zoo is also looking into some kind of memorial, such as a plaque or something similar, for the elephant area to honor Ruth," Darling said. "We'll probably have more details about that in the coming months."

Ruth shared Buttonwood Park's elephant enclosure with 61-year-old fellow Asian elephant Emily, a zoo fixture since 1968, except for a 20-month stint in Louisiana from 1983 to 1985 while zoo officials upgraded her substandard living quarters.

When Emily passes, Buttonwood Park Zoo will no longer include elephants. What will become of the elephant exhibit area at the zoo has yet to be decided.

"As for the elephant space post-elephants, that's to be determined," Darling said. "But it will be a while until we get to that point as Emily is in good spirits and is lovingly cared for by Zoo staff."

"Buttonwood Park Zoo is Greater New Bedford's most popular tourist attraction," Darling said. "You'd have a hard time finding someone from not only around here but from Massachusetts or Rhode Island, who doesn't have a fond memory of visiting Buttonwood Park Zoo."

"Whatever direction is taken post-elephants, Buttonwood Park Zoo will be a place where memories are made for generations to come," he said.

The Zoo's interim director Shara Rapoza told The New Bedford Light that "Ruth was laid to rest in her favorite spot in the yard."