Solly the hippo dies during rescue operation
- 12 years ago
WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS DISTRESSING CONTENT
Young hippopatomus Solly lies stranded in a half-empty swimming pool for a third day in a game park in South Africa.
The five-year-old hippo is thought to have sought refuge in the pool on Tuesday after being ostracized by his herd following the birth of a new calf.
Rescuers spray the sedated five-year-old with water to keep him cool as they make plans to lift him out with a crane.
But the mission ends in tragedy when a lifeless Solly is slowly lifted up from the pool.
A vet said Solly's health had begun to decline around eight hours earlier - due to under nourishment.
The tragic one-ton male calf had become an overnight celebrity after being discovered in the pool with his own Twitter account and rolling news coverage.
Young hippopatomus Solly lies stranded in a half-empty swimming pool for a third day in a game park in South Africa.
The five-year-old hippo is thought to have sought refuge in the pool on Tuesday after being ostracized by his herd following the birth of a new calf.
Rescuers spray the sedated five-year-old with water to keep him cool as they make plans to lift him out with a crane.
But the mission ends in tragedy when a lifeless Solly is slowly lifted up from the pool.
A vet said Solly's health had begun to decline around eight hours earlier - due to under nourishment.
The tragic one-ton male calf had become an overnight celebrity after being discovered in the pool with his own Twitter account and rolling news coverage.