It was an emotional weekend for staff at the Milwaukee County Zoo as African savanna elephant Ruth, a beloved fixture there for nearly two decades, was euthanized after another fall on Saturday morning.

Ruth, who at 43 years old was considered a geriatric elephant, arrived at the zoo in December 2006 and was described by her care team as “feisty and sassy” and very independent. It wasn’t uncommon, they said, to see her alone in her own space in the outdoor habitat.

Zookeepers found her down and unable to get up on her own and immediately began implementing zoo protocols for such a situation, according to an announcement by zoo officials. The zoo’s veterinary staff, in consultation with the elephant care staff, the director of animal health and management and the zoo’s director, decided t

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