‘Cherished' 3-ton animal featured in movies dies at Florida wildlife park at 65
A beloved and massive 65-year-old animal — the oldest of his kind in the Americas — living out his days at a Florida wildlife park has died.
Lu the African hippopotamus was known for his 'calm presence and gentle personality' that drew in visitors at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park for decades, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said.
While he attracted a following at the central Florida wildlife park, he starred on the silver screen as well, featuring in movies and TV shows from the 1960s such as 'Daktari,' 'Cowboy in Africa,' the 'Art Linkletter Show' and the 'Herb Albert Special,' according to park officials.
'For more than 60 years, Lu was not just an animal in the park; he was a friend, a fixture and a treasured member of the community,' according to a statement on the Florida State Parks website. 'Children grew up visiting him, and many returned as adults with children of their own to say hello to the gentle giant.'
The hippo was so beloved that when the Florida Park Service bought the property in 1989 and planned to rehome the exotic species living there, public support led to the governor making Lu a Florida citizen, helping him stay at his longtime home.
He was born at the San Diego Zoo in January 1960, making him the oldest hippo in North and South America at the time of his death, according to Florida State Parks.
Longtime park visitors recalled their years of experiences with the 'cherished' 3-ton hippo, who was also known for flinging poop at those who got too close.
'He was an icon that will be greatly missed at the park,' one visitor wrote on Facebook. 'I've been going to the park for over 50 years and he's always been a favorite (all) these years.'
Another visitor wrote she was 'devastated' by the news.
'I have been seeing this wonderful guy since I was a little girl and I'm almost in my 30's,' she wrote on Facebook. 'He lived a long life. He is forever loved by me and so many others.'
The state park is in Citrus County, about a 70-mile drive north from Tampa.
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