South African hippo dies during rescue

A hippopotamus chased into a swimming pool at a South African game preserve died before it could be rescued, officials said Friday. The one-ton male hippo, nicknamed Solly, was believed to have been chased away from its environment by a larger bull hippo at the Monate Game Lodge near Modimolle, South Africa, and sought refuge in a swimming pool Tuesday, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported Friday. He became distressed Friday, as the pool, eight feet deep, was drained in preparation for his removal, and died before a crane could lift him out, the newspaper said. "He was not as perky this morning, more agitated, like he was irritated," said game preserve manager Ruby Ferreira. "Although we looked after him, it was an unnatural environment for him." Veterinarian Alex Lewis said an autopsy on Solly would be performed, adding the hippo's health had begun to decline while in the pool due to undernourishment, and that regardless of the rescue effort his death would have been inevitable.