Lucifer, a famed Florida hippo beloved by generations, dies at 65
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Lucifer eats lettuce at Homosassa Springs in 1977. Photo: Courtesy of State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory
Lucifer, a fixture of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and the oldest known hippopotamus in the Americas, died on Sunday at the age of 65.
Why it matters: "Lu wasn't just a hippo. He was Citrus County's hippo," the county's newspaper wrote in an obit. And for six decades, he served as "a living link between generations of park visitors."
Catch up quick: He was born at the San Diego Zoo on Jan. 26, 1960, and came to Homosassa Springs in 1964. Lu starred in a number of films and TV shows in the 1960s, including "Daktari" and "Cowboy in Africa."
- When the state assumed control of the park in 1989 and shifted its focus to native Florida species, Lu's future became uncertain.
- But after local uproar and a letter-writing campaign, then-Gov. Lawton Chiles made Lu an honorary citizen of Florida, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
What they're saying: "Children grew up visiting him, and many returned as adults with children of their own to say hello to the gentle giant," the department said in a statement.
- "His legacy extends beyond his impressive lifespan," it continued. "He represented the deep connection between people and the animals who inspire wonder, empathy, and stewardship."