Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Announcement of the Passing of Lu the Hippo

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Lu, the beloved hippopotamus and cherished resident of Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

Born at the San Diego Zoo on Jan. 26, 1960, Lu came to Homosassa Springs in 1964. A charismatic actor, he was a movie and television star with the Ivan Tors Animal Actors troupe and starred in popular films and television shows of the 1960s, including 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.

For more than 60 years, Lu was not just an animal in the park; he was a friend, a fixture and a treasured member of the community. Children grew up visiting him, and many returned as adults with children of their own to say hello to the gentle giant. His legacy extends beyond his impressive lifespan — he represented the deep connection between people and the animals who inspire wonder, empathy and stewardship.

Lu is survived in spirit by the devoted park rangers who cared for him, the millions of visitors whose lives he touched and the wildlife community he helped anchor. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Hours

9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ticket counters close at 4:45 p.m.

Fees

Adults (age 13+), $13; children ages 6-12, $5; children 5 and under admitted free.

See all fees.

Location

4150 S. Suncoast Blvd.
Homosassa FL 34446

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Contact Info

352-423-5600

Welcome to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Discover the wild side of Florida with endangered Florida panther, red wolf, manatee and whooping crane, plus black bear, bobcat and, of course, alligators.

When Homosassa Springs was a popular train stop in the early 1900s, passengers could picnic and take a dip in the spring while train cars were being loaded up with cedar, crabs, fish and spring water. On a 1924 visit, Bruce Hoover of Chicago called it “the most beautiful river and springs in the world.” In this regard, Homosassa Springs hasn’t changed much.

An astounding number of fresh and saltwater fish still congregate in the natural spring bowl — large jacks, snapper, snook and others. A unique underwater structure, the Underwater Observatory allows visitors to "walk underwater" beneath the spring's surface to watch the various fish and manatees swim about. Gaze down into the depths of the first-magnitude spring and perhaps catch a glimpse of fish and manatees in their natural habitat.

The park also features a variety of captive animals such as alligators, black bears, red wolf, Key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity. The native wildlife that reside in the park serve as ambassadors for their species, providing visitors face-to-face connections with the animals and their habitats. Each with a unique life story, all of the animal inhabitants are here for the same reason - they are unable to survive in the wild on their own.