Elephant Out of Moat at Milwaukee County Zoo

Ruth the elephant has made it out of the moat she was stuck in at the Milwaukee County Zoo.

MILWAUKEE - A -31-year-old African elephant fell into a moat at the Milwaukee County Zoo around 3:15 p.m. on Monday. Zoo officials said she slipped and wasn't hurt in the fall. Animal handlers set up makeshift stairs to try and lure Ruth the elephant into walking out of the moat on her own.

"We used lots of treats," zoo director Chuck Wikenhauser said. "A few extra pumpkins."

But nothing worked, until they left her alone.

"She did come out as soon as we all turned our backs so she could show us that she didn't really need the help," Wikenhauser said.

Ruth is the second animal to fall in a moat at the Milwaukee County Zoo since 2008. Last October Zero the polar bear fell while chasing a toy. He stayed in the moat for 17 days.

Zoo staff are relieved Ruth came out quicker than that, and said she's now warm inside her exhibit, happy to be back with her companion elephant Brittany.

"I know Ruth was really trumpeting when she came in, kind of a triumphant thing, and certainly Brittany answered her back," Wikenhauser said.

Ruth was not injured in the fall, but Wikenhauser said she did get some minor scratches.

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