MILWAUKEE -- Ruth, an African elephant, was stuck in the moat at the elephant habitat.

The 28-year-old elephant arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo from Brownsville, Texas in 2006.

Zoo officials said Ruth was in the moat for a little over four hours. She slipped into it around 3:15 p.m.

Workers tried to teach Ruth how to use the steps, and attempted to coax her up them with no success. However, once they turned their backs to talk about other possible ideas, Ruth got herself out.

Hoisting the elephant was never an option since she weighs over 8,000 pounds. Construction crews were almost brought in to dump gravel in the moat to help Ruth climb out, but that became unnecessary.

Now, Ruth is back safely inside, and according to zoo officials, is not going back outside for a while.

A year ago, Zero the polar bear fell into his moat at the zoo.

Images: Polar Bear Trapped In Moat

Last October, the bear spent 18 days in the moat before he was tranquilized and lifted back to his habitat.