San Diego Zoo's 'smiling hippo' named Otis is dead at age 45

San Diego Zoo’s ‘smiling hippo’ named Otis is dead at age 45

Updated: Nov 16, 2021 / 05:04 PM EST

In this photo provided by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is Otis, a 45-year-old male river hippopotamus at the San Diego Zoo on Jan. 14, 2021, who has died. Nicknamed the “smiling hippo,” Otis had been under care for degenerative joint and spinal disease and a decision to euthanize him was made last weekend when his condition declined dramatically, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in tweet Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance via AP)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A 45-year-old male river hippopotamus named Otis and nicknamed the “smiling hippo” has died at the San Diego Zoo.

Otis had been under care for degenerative joint and spinal disease and a decision to euthanize him was made last weekend when his condition declined dramatically, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in tweet Monday.

In this photo provided by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is Otis, a 45-year-old male river hippopotamus at the San Diego Zoo on July 2, 2021, who has died. (Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance via AP)

Otis got his nickname in 2010 because of viral photoS taken by a zoo visitor that captured him with his teeth displayed in what looked like a giant grin, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The 4,500-pound hippo was born in the wild in East Africa and went to the Los Angeles Zoo before being transferred to San Diego in 2009 to mate with a female named Funani, the newspaper said.

“Otis will be greatly missed by wildlife care staff, veterinarians, volunteers, and guests,” the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said.