Johannesburg - Solly the hippo, who has been stuck in a swimming pool in Limpopo since Tuesday, has died, a report has said.
According to EWN, the young hippo died on Friday morning before an attempt to rescue him from a swimming pool could get underway.
Solly had reportedly been in distress after the pool was drained in preparation for a rescue operation.
A veterinarian who was hired to tranquillise the hippo arrived at the scene nearly four hours late, and couldn't save him, EWN said.
Solly has been stuck in the guest swimming pool at the Monate Game Lodge, near Modimolle (Nylstroom) since Tuesday.
He is believed to have been chased by a larger bull hippo from his local dam ending up trapped in the10x5m pool.
On Thursday, Simon Prinsloo, of Nylsvlei Game Dealers, told The Star details of the rescue plan.
Prinsloo had said that Solly would be darted with a tranquilliser. Once it had taken effect, the hippo would be blindfolded and strapped into a harness. A crane would then hoist the animal out of the swimming pool.
Solly became a media sensation after the online community anti-crime organisation eblockwatch asked its members for help to rescue him. - IOL