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We took a day trip to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Homosassa is an Seminole Indian word meaning pepper, so named because of the little red pepper berries on the trees around here. So the Pepper river or inlet goes from the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park visitor center and flows into the Homosassa River that eventually empties into the Gulf of Mexico. They have a pontoon boat that carried us from the visitor center to the park entrance about a mile down the Pepper River. Along the river you can see Wood Ducks and other water fowl and in warmer weather alligators. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a rehabilitation center for manatees and other injured birds. It also houses a 37 year old hippopotamus named Lucifer. When the state took over the park Lucifer was one of a number of exotic animals used in films that they had to find homes for. It seemed all the other animals found a new home except Lucifer. They couldn't find a home for a 9,000 pound hippopotamus. So the state decided to keep Lucifer the movie star and retire him to his own pen. They also have a couple of big cats and a Florida Black Bear that wasn't on exhibit today because his habitat was being remolded. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.
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