Last week Lu the hippo of Homosassa Springs of Allahassee, Florida, turned 50 with park staff and visitors on hand to help him celebrate.

Lu was born at the San Diego Zoo on January 26, 1960, and today weighs more than 6,000 pounds, consuming 15 pounds of alfalfa hay, four scoops of herbivore diet and a five gallon bucket of vegetables and fruit every day.

Lu has been at Homosassa Springs since 1964 and is famous for his role as a former screen star who appeared in movies like Daktari and Cowboy in Africa.