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El Salvador's much-loved hippo Gustavito killed at zoo El Salvador's much-loved hippo Gustavito killed at zoo
(about 11 hours later)
A much-loved hippopotamus called Gustavito has died after an unexplained attack over the weekend in the National Zoo of El Salvador.A much-loved hippopotamus called Gustavito has died after an unexplained attack over the weekend in the National Zoo of El Salvador.
The police are trying to establish who entered the animal's enclosure at night and brutally assaulted him.The police are trying to establish who entered the animal's enclosure at night and brutally assaulted him.
Gustavito, 15, died from his injuries late on Sunday.Gustavito, 15, died from his injuries late on Sunday.
Officials have described it as a cowardly and inhumane attack on one of the most iconic animals at the city's zoo.Officials have described it as a cowardly and inhumane attack on one of the most iconic animals at the city's zoo.
BBC Central America reporter Will Grant says that in a country where murder has long lost the capacity to shock, the extreme animal cruelty that claimed Gustavito's life has angered and upset all of El Salvador.BBC Central America reporter Will Grant says that in a country where murder has long lost the capacity to shock, the extreme animal cruelty that claimed Gustavito's life has angered and upset all of El Salvador.
Unknown assailants entered the national zoo in San Salvador over the weekend and subjected the hippo to a sustained beating with what appears to have been sharp weapons and blunt tools.Unknown assailants entered the national zoo in San Salvador over the weekend and subjected the hippo to a sustained beating with what appears to have been sharp weapons and blunt tools.
The following morning, the zookeepers noticed Gustavito acting strangely, refusing to eat and unwilling to come out of the pool in his enclosure.The following morning, the zookeepers noticed Gustavito acting strangely, refusing to eat and unwilling to come out of the pool in his enclosure.
The zoo's veterinarians then found lacerations on the hippo's neck and face, and the animal clearly in great distress.The zoo's veterinarians then found lacerations on the hippo's neck and face, and the animal clearly in great distress.
The world's deadliest large land mammal
Hippo calf takes to the water for the first time
His condition worsened on Sunday and he died late that night despite the efforts of the staff to save him.His condition worsened on Sunday and he died late that night despite the efforts of the staff to save him.
The culture ministry in El Salvador has said an investigation is under way to find the attackers.The culture ministry in El Salvador has said an investigation is under way to find the attackers.
Meanwhile many Salvadorans have taken to social media to express their sadness and disgust at the case.Meanwhile many Salvadorans have taken to social media to express their sadness and disgust at the case.
Many are calling for investigation into conditions at the zoo to determine how an attack of this nature could happen so easily, while on Twitter others have simply been posting: "Forgive us Gustavito".Many are calling for investigation into conditions at the zoo to determine how an attack of this nature could happen so easily, while on Twitter others have simply been posting: "Forgive us Gustavito".
The country has one of the highest murder rates in the world, the United Nations said last month. About 10 people a day have been murdered so far this year, with most of the violence caused by criminal gangs, known locally as maras, which operate across Central America.The country has one of the highest murder rates in the world, the United Nations said last month. About 10 people a day have been murdered so far this year, with most of the violence caused by criminal gangs, known locally as maras, which operate across Central America.
El Salvador's criminal groups were formed initially in the streets of Los Angeles in the 1980s by children of Salvadoran migrants escaping the country's brutal civil war.El Salvador's criminal groups were formed initially in the streets of Los Angeles in the 1980s by children of Salvadoran migrants escaping the country's brutal civil war.
When the war ended in 1992 many of them returned home, taking the LA gang culture with them.When the war ended in 1992 many of them returned home, taking the LA gang culture with them.