South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Happy birthday, Lu! Florida’s only resident hippo turns 60
A certain Homosassa resident is celebrating a landmark birthday. Lu, Florida’s only resident hippopotamus is turning 60, making him the oldest hippo in captivity in North and South America (most hippos only live about 30-40 years).
“He has meant a lot to a lot of people over the years, and we’re just happy to be able to celebrate this monumental birthday with him,” said Kate Spratt, a park’s services specialist at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
Lu’s actual birth date is Jan. 26, but Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is celebrating a few days early.
At 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 24, local elementary school children donning themed attire, from safari to tie-dye and party hats, will line up along the hippo enclosure to sing “Happy Birthday” to Lu. And of course, this wouldn’t be complete without a birthday cake for Lu, provided by Publix and made with veterinarianapproved ingredients.
“I am certain he is looking forward to this cake for his birthday, just like the rest of us,” Spratt said.
There will also be a smaller celebration at 12:30 p.m. — which is when the regularly scheduled alligator and hippo program occurs — where guests will receive complimentary popsicles from one of the park’s partners, The Hyppo.
Lu was born in 1960 at the San Diego Zoo. He’s lived in the Homosassa park since the mid-1960s when he was a part of Ivan Tors animal actors troupe. His on-screen appearances include “Cowboy in Africa” and “Daktari.”
He’s won over the hearts of people around the world, according to Spratt.
“He’s a showman. He really enjoys people,” Spratt said. “He really does enjoy little pleasures” — such as pushing a Christmas tree around his enclosure during enrichment after the holidays.
Spratt said Lu also serves as a cultural bridge between multiple generations.
“He arrived here in 1964, and people who are now bringing their grandkids here, they came here as children,” she said. “So, he is very much a cultural bridge across these generations of family members.”
If you go: The park is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily (celebrations at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Jan. 24) at 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd. in Homosassa. Tickets cost $13 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger. For more information, call 352-628-5343 or visit the park’s website.