Technology

Duolingo’s owl mascot dead, company says

Megan Swift
By Megan Swift
2 Min Read Feb. 11, 2025 | 10 months Ago
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Duolingo has announced that its mascot — the iconic owl Duo — is dead.

The Pittsburgh-based language learning app told the public the news via an “important message” on its social media pages.

“Authorities are currently investigating his cause of death, and we are cooperating fully,” the message with a black background reads. “Tbh, he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know.”

Duolingo, with headquarters on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh, said it was aware that Duo had “many enemies,” but the company is kindly asking to refrain from sharing any hate toward him in comments.

“If you feel inclined to share, please also include your credit card number so we can automatically sign you up for Duolingo Max in his memory,” the announcement reads. “We appreciate you respecting Dua Lipa’s privacy at this time.”

All of Duolingo’s social media profile photos have been changed to Duo with black X’s in his eyes, with his tongue sticking out, symbolizing his passing.

Duo lovers have taken to social media in the aftermath of the heartbreaking announcement, expressing their reactions.

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About the Writers

Megan Swift is a TribLive reporter covering trending news in Western Pennsylvania. A Murrysville native, she joined the Trib full time in 2023 after serving as editor-in-chief of The Daily Collegian at Penn State. She previously worked as a Jim Borden Scholarship intern at the Trib for three summers. She can be reached at mswift@triblive.com.

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