Retire Ruth Now at Buttonwood Zoo!

Earlier this month, In Defense of Animals (IDA) filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), charging that the Buttonwood Zoo in New Bedford, Massachusetts has been violating the federal Animal Welfare Act by knowingly forcing two incompatible Asian elephants to live in the same enclosure together. Ruth, at 55 years of age, is forced to share an exhibit with Emily, 50, who outweighs Ruth by 1,200 pounds and regularly demonstrates aggressive behavior towards her, sometimes causing injuries. IDA is requesting that the USDA make a much more thorough investigation into the frequent attacks by her exhibit mate, Emily, and into the zoo’s inability to prevent harm to Ruth by the forced cohabitation.

Unless and until Ruth is removed from Buttonwood Park Zoo, she will continue to suffer excessively and be in an unacceptably dangerous situation. There are many other issues at this zoo that make it inhospitable for both Emily and Ruth, but our complaint focuses on the most immediate and untenable issue for Ruth; that of incompatibility between these two elephants originating from two different countries, and the resulting negative impacts and risks to Ruth’s health and wellbeing.

Click here to read more and take action.