South Africans spent several days rooting for a hippo stuck in a pool, however the story ended tragically as the animal died shortly before being rescued.
The 4-year-old hippo wandered into a swimming pool at the Monate Conservation Lodge located north of Johannesburg after it was forced out of its herd. The hippo's mother recently gave birth, causing more dominant males to chase the young male out of its group.
The hippo decided to relax in the eight-foot deep swimming pool, but he had no way of getting out once he jumped in.
South Africans became big fans and supporters of the hippo which they named "Solly" after photos and videos of the animal made headlines. Businesses and people offered to help pay for the hippo to be rescued
"One man called to say his daughter wouldn't sleep until I listened to her plan to save the hippo," rescue volunteer Andre Snyman from Eblockwatch told reporters, as quoted by ABC.
Conservationists and veterinarians drained the eight-foot deep pool so that the animal would be able to swim and stand. They poured water on the animal to keep it hydrated and fed it regularly. They made plans to tranquilize the large animal so that it could be lifted by a crane from the pool on Friday morning and be brought to another animal sanctuary.
South Africans were devastated to learn that Solly didn't make it. The young hippo died before being rescued.
"It's devastating," Monate Conservation Lodge manager Ruby Ferreira told the The Times newspaper. "He was not as perky this morning, more agitated, like he was irritated."
Ferreira and the staff of the game reserve had been keeping a close watch over Solly since it jumped into the pool on Tuesday.
After spending several days in the pool, the animal was swimming in its own feces. Ferreira thinks the animal couldn't handle to stress of being stuck in an unnatural environment for too long.
The body of one-ton hippo was lifted out of the pool after it died.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
