I am sad to report that the adored baby pygmy hippo, Prince Harry, died this morning at the Cango Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. Harry's heart failed after the two-month-old calf went into respiratory arrest during surgery to fix an umbilical hernia.

His death is a heartbreaking loss for those who cared for him and a big loss to his species. Fewer than 3,000 pygmy hippopotomi remain in the forests and swamps of western Africa. Although his life in captivity was short, Harry brought much needed attention to his wild cousins' plight against deforestation and will be missed.

Image: Cango Wildlife Sanctuary