OXFORD, Iowa — Phill, a beloved water buffalo who led central Iowa authorities on a days-long hunt last year, has died. The Iowa Farm Sanctuary, where Phill lived since he was captured last summer, posted on Facebook Thursday afternoon that the water buffalo was on his way to the Iowa State University Large Animal Hospital after showing some concerning signs. They followed up with a post Friday morning that he died, and the doctors told the farm owners there was nothing more they could do for him.

Phill the water buffalo (Iowa Farm Sanctuary Facebook photo)

Phill had a shotgun slug in his abdomen after being shot by an officer last summer, but had tested negative for lead in his blood, the sanctuary said. He and the other water buffaloes at the sanctuary had recently been treated for parasites.