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Our Favorite Homosassa Springs Resident: Lu the Hippo

Last Updated on January 27, 2024

Lu the Hippo is an old Hollywood actor. Even though he’s retired, fans can still visit him at his Florida home and take photos of him!

If you’re not familiar with the 64-year-old bull hippopotamus, you can learn more about him in this article.

Then, add Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park to your list of fun roadside attractions in Florida you want to visit.

Lu the Hippo’s Younger Years

Lu the Hippo Homosassa Springs
Lu the Hippo loves the warm weather! (Source: Lu page on Facebook)

Lu was born in 1960 in San Diego and was originally an actor with Ivan Tors Animal Actors.

His full name is Lucifer, but everyone loves to call him Lu. His talent company relocated him to Homosassa Springs.

Cowboy in Africa DVD cover

Here, Lu starred in Hollywood films, including “Cowboy in Africa” and “Daktari” and the TV shows “Art Linkletter Show” and the “Herb Alpert Special.”

Homosassa Springs signs

In 1989, Lu faced eviction from his Homosassa Springs home.

Hippopotamus sign at Homosassa Springs

The Florida Park Services took over the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and planned to move all non-native species out of the state. This included Lu since he was born in California.

Lu was so beloved and had become a staple of Homosassa that residents decided to take measures to keep him in the park.

Governor Lawton Chiles signs bill
Photo Source: State Library & Archives of Florida

Community members rallied together and sent a petition to the Governor of Florida at the time, Lawton Chiles.

Lu the Hippo in Homosassa Springs

Chiles agreed with the community of Homosassa, and even made Lu an honorary citizen! This means he can never be moved from Homosassa Springs, where excellent staff takes care of him.

Visiting Lu in Homosassa

Lu the Hippo Homosassa Springs
Lu the Hippo loves his visitors! (Source: Lu page on Facebook. Tracy Gordon Photography)

Today, Lu spends his retirement days swimming, playing with toys, eating, and entertaining his visitors by living his best life!

Melanie Lentz-Janney, of Authentic Florida, meets Lu the Hippo

If you visit him, Lu may call back to you if you yell his name at him! If he’s in a great mood, he may even do a somersault in the water for you!

Lu recently celebrated his 64th birthday (January 26th)! He is still the oldest living hippopotamus in North America.

His birthday “cake” consisted of watermelon, pumpkin, gourds, and two bucket-sized pieces of ice filled with berries.

If you’d like to visit Lu, make sure to check out visiting hours, and any closures at Homosassa Springs!

If you’re not near Homosassa, don’t worry! Lu is also very active on Facebook! Check out his Facebook Page.

water tower in Crystal River

Learn more about Lu’s home in Crystal River: Swim With a Manatee and Experience Authentic Crystal River, the Soul of Florida

Want to explore other cool places in Florida, check out:

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