AsianFin -- Duolingo’s beloved green owl, Duo, is no more. The US-based language-learning company, which gained widespread recognition during the Covid-19 pandemic, announced the owl’s "death" in a tongue-in-cheek social media post, signaling a possible corporate rebrand.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Duolingo wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally known as the Duolingo Owl, is dead. Authorities are currently investigating his cause of death and we are cooperating fully. Tbh, he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know.”

The move follows in the footsteps of Twitter’s 2023 rebrand, which saw Elon Musk replace its iconic blue bird logo with a minimalist “X.” Now, it appears Duo has suffered a similar fate, though the company has not confirmed whether the change is permanent.

Founded in 2011, Pittsburgh-based Duolingo offers over 100 courses in more than 40 languages through bite-sized lessons. It became a global phenomenon during the pandemic, when millions turned to language learning in their free time.

Duolingo’s social media post continued in its signature humorous tone: “We’re aware he had many enemies, but we kindly ask that you refrain from sharing why you hate him in the 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.”

In a final unexpected twist, the statement concluded: “We appreciate you respecting Dua Lipa’s privacy at this time.”

While the fate of Duo remains unclear, one thing is certain—Duolingo’s marketing team isn’t letting go of its viral, offbeat humor anytime soon.