Japan zoo mourns death of love-struck penguin

TOKYO - An elderly penguin who shot to fame in Japan after falling in love with a cardboard cutout of a cartoon character has died, at the ripe old age of 21.

Officials at Tobu zoo in Saitama, north of Tokyo, said Grape passed away after a brief illness with the object of his desire right by his side. He would have been around 80 in human years.

Earlier this year, the Humboldt penguin became smitten with a cutout of Hululua character from the Japanese anime "Kemono Friends" - after being dumped by his former mate, a female called Midori.