Lu, an African hippopotamus and movie star who had lived at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park for six decades, passed away peacefully on Sunday, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The 65-year-old hippo, born at the San Diego Zoo on Jan, 26, 1960, came to Homosassa Springs at four-years-old.
He began his television career soon after, starring in popular 1960s films and shows like Daktari, Cowboy in Africa, the Art Linkletter Show, and the Herb Albert Special.
"His Hollywood past added to his charm, but it was his calm presence and gentle personality that endeared him to generations of Floridians and visitors alike," DEP spokesperson Alexandra Kuchta wrote in a Sunday memo.
A California native, Lu was officially granted honorary Florida citizenship in 1991 by then-Gov. Lawton Chiles. After decades of entertaining and meeting with Florida kids and park goers, a memorial will be placed at the state park to "honor Lu's extraordinary life and legacy."
He was 65.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is located on the Florida Gulf Coast, just north of Hernando Beach.
