Interest
Fans Mourn the Death of Grape-kun, a True Kemono Friend
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
It's with a heavy heart that I have to report that Grape-kun, the penguin that won Kemono Friends fans' hearts at Tobu Zoo this year, has passed away. Zoo staff reported that the elderly penguin died Thursday.
The zoo staff thanked everyone for supporting Grape-kun and especially Hululu, the Humboldt penguin Kemono Friends character that Grape-kun grew attached to after a cardboard cutout was added to his environment for a collaboration event.
"Also, thanks to Hululu who watched over Grape-kun until the very end," the staff wrote on Thursday. "And we are forever grateful to Grape-kun. Have a good rest in heaven."
The Tobu Zoo shared that Grape-kun was removed from his enclosure for health reasons on Wednesday. He was 21 years old, a late age for Humboldt penguins that typically live approximately 25 years.
Fans have shared their condolences and well wishes for the bird who amassed an outpouring of fans in the anime community and beyond.
— バンプレイオス (@fafagod) October 13, 2017
この夏、グレープ君に会った時、衝動に駆られてグレープ君を木で掘り起こしました…
— ミュージックアワー (@ozaki_tsk) October 13, 2017
ありがとうグレープ君…… pic.twitter.com/S0WStUvzCT
rip pic.twitter.com/VNJXumLvsm
— 그림그리는 종훈 (@Parksunhaa) October 13, 2017
グレープくん……。 pic.twitter.com/ZfQisAsfBG
— 桐沢十三10/22砲雷撃戦大湊 (@paulowniamarsh) October 13, 2017
Thanks to FilthyCasual for the news tip
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