“Duolingo Owl Has Died: Acknowledging the Many Enemies He Faced”

In a shocking turn of events, the world learned today that the beloved Duolingo Owl, affectionately known as Duo, has passed away. Speculation is rife, with some humorously suspecting “fowl play”in this tragic news.

Since its introduction in 2012, Duo has served as the official mascot for Duolingo, quickly becoming a viral sensation across platforms like TikTok. A recent post by the company disclosed the owl’s death, suggesting that he had garnered many adversaries during his journey.

“With heavy hearts, we announce that Duo, formally known as The Duolingo Owl, is dead, ” the company stated. They added that law enforcement is currently probing the circumstances surrounding his demise.“Authorities are investigating his cause of death, and we are fully cooperating. To be honest, he likely passed away waiting for you to complete your lessons, but what do we know?”

In light of these recent developments, the company hinted that all users might be considered suspects in this unusual case.“We acknowledge that Duo had numerous enemies, but we kindly request that you refrain from detailing your grievances in the comments. If you feel compelled to share, please include your credit card number so we can automatically enroll you in Duolingo Max in his memory.” As someone who frequently forgets to even register for the app, I can assure you I’m not one of the suspects here!

The post humorously concluded with a call for respect towards Dua Lipa during this time of mourning, stating, “We appreciate your consideration for Dua Lipa’s privacy at this moment.”

Other well-known characters, such as the Aflac Duck, expressed their sympathies, stating, “Finishing the lesson in your honor.” However, the most direct reaction came from Discussing Film, with a blunt and straightforward response.

The Duolingo Owl is fucking dead.pic.twitter.com/mm0qMXHbBj

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 11, 2025

Why Do Brands Put Us Through This?

This event brings to mind a similar situation involving Mr. Peanut when the nut brand replaced their mascot to appeal to a younger audience. However, the decision to “kill off”Duo feels more sinister than that of the peanut company. It begs the question: why would Duolingo opt for such a grim narrative?

Perhaps the brand is embarking on a new journey or simply utilizing this event to highlight user inactivity in a dramatic way. One unique suggestion would be to turn Duo into a digital Tamagotchi; if users neglect their lessons, Duo could “die”from lack of care. This could serve as a compelling incentive for daily engagement.

For now, we mourn the loss of Duo in our own homes, perhaps accompanied by the somber strains of Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You” as we embark on the difficult task of learning French. If you didn’t grasp it in high school, wrestling with it as an adult can be an even tougher journey. But for Duo’s sake, let’s give it a shot.

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