For visitors to Homosassa Springs on the West coast of Florida there was really sad news yesterday 09 June 2025 that the popular resident and obviously not a Manatee passed away. Lu the Hippo was 65 and recorded as the oldest surviving Hippo in North and South America. 

Originally he was an animal actor and was living out his years in the very attractive Ellie Schiller State Park and generations of children (and adults) grew up and visiting him many times. 

Our first family holiday to Florida in 1994 we visited Homosassa Springs to see the Manatee’s and being amused about the tales from the park ranger about Lu. Even now when we reminisce about that holiday it is Lu that we talk about.

Read the statement on the official website and do you know that thirty years later the admission fee is only $13 per adult and $5 for a short cruise.