Disney Safari Hippo Found Dead

A hippopotamus has died at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the latest in a string of deaths at the theme park since last fall.

Although an exact cause of death was not immediately available, Disney spokesman Bill Warren said preliminary tests indicate the "rapid and aggressive" bacterial pneumonia was responsible.

The body of the 13-year-old hippo was spotted in a wading pool Tuesday in the safari ride. The ride was shut down for 40 minutes.

Dozens of elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros, hippos, and zebras roam a manmade 119-acre savannah that visitors pass through on a truck. Visitors likely never saw the hippo because it was in a secluded area, Warren said Wednesday.

News About Animals

In April, the Department of Agriculture cleared Disney of any wrongdoing for the death of 29 animals, including cheetah cubs, otters, rhinoceros, and a hippo at the park between September and April. The causes ranged from maternal neglect to fights among animals.