(Daily Advertiser)- The 31-year-old hippopotamus Penelope, made famous by a photographer and American porcelain collector who loved her “smile and sparkling eyes,” has died at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo in Monroe.

Zoo director Joe Clawson said Penelope, which has been a signature attraction at the zoo since she was a baby more than three decades ago, died in her sleep Friday.

Autopsy results show the hippo died from a heart condition, he said.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our beloved hippopotamus, Penelope,” Clawson said. “Penelope has been a featured animal at our zoo since 1988.  She was almost 32 years old. The life expectancy of a hippo in captivity is 40 years old.”

Penelope’s death makes an orphan of Monreaux, a 5-year-old hippo that wasn’t Penelope’s offspring but joined Penelope at the zoo when Monreaux was a baby.

“We are all saddened to see Penelope go,” Clauson said. “We will keep our options open for finding a companion for Monreaux.”

For the full article visit the Daily Advertiser here.