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Prince Harry the Pygmy Hippo Dies

05/10/2012 at 03:00 PM EDT

Harry the Hippo

Matthew Tabaccos/Barcroft Media/Landov

Less than two months after his birth, a pygmy hippo named after Prince Harry has died. The hippo, a resident of the Cango Wildlife Ranch in South Africa, had been undergoing surgery Wednesday morning to repair a hernia.

"Unfortunately at the conclusion of the operation, he went into respiratory arrest and ultimately heart failure," announced Tammy Moult, a spokesperson for the ranch, in a statement. "Despite repeated attempts to resuscitate him, Harry passed away on the operating table."

Since his arrival at the ranch on March 22, Harry had been cared for by trainer Toni Inggs, because he had been rejected by his mother. The calf was receiving round-the-clock care, including bottle feedings.

"[She] is completely devastated," Moult's statement continued. "The pint-sized 'jelly-baby', as Toni so lovingly referred to him, will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of meeting him."

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