Inside Betty White’s incredible acts of kindness – from helping airline worker to saving animals in Hurricane Katrina

, Betty anonymously donated to Audubon Aquarium to help transport penguins and sea otters to another location.

Following her death, the aquarium tweeted: "We lost a conservationist, animal advocate, and friend. When the penguins & sea otters were evacuated to
[Monterey Aquarium] for Hurricane Katrina, Betty White paid for the plane to relocate them. She did not ask for fanfare; she just wanted to help.

"Thank you for being a friend," they added, in Golden Girl's fashion.

Monterey Bay Aquarium, where the animals were transported to, also weighed in following her passing.

"Thank you, Betty, for your boundless passion for wildlife and for your loving support of the Aquarium’s mission of ocean conservation since day one," they wrote.

"We look forward to continuing your legacy of care and compassion for our living planet—we’re grateful to have been a part of your wonderful life."

Away from the spotlight, White was a pioneering animal rights activist, dedicating much of her time to saving endangered species and improving conditions for animals at Los Angeles Zoo.

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), the nonprofit partner of the Los Angeles Zoo, paid tribute to White in a heartfelt statement on Monday. She started working with the zoo in 1966 and joined GLAZA's board in 1974.

"We are incredibly saddened to hear about Betty's passing this morning and want to offer our deepest condolences to her family and friends as we collectively mourn the loss of a true legend, on and off the screen," Tom Jacobson, president of GLAZA, wrote.

"Her work with the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association spans more than five decades, and we are grateful for her enduring friendship, lifelong advocacy for animals, and tireless dedication to supporting our mission." 

'CHAMPION' OF ALL CREATURES

During her more-than half-a-century of work with Glaza, White starred and helped create a 1974 TV special called Backstage at the Zoo, which the non-profit called "revolutionary at the time", crediting White in helping to bring "the Los Angeles Zoo into the homes of thousands of Angelenos to shine a spotlight on the Zoo's world-class animal care team."

Denise M. Verret, the CEO and director of the Los Angeles Zoo, also heaped praise on White for her tireless efforts to help animals and the zoo.

"Betty White Ludden's legacy will have a lasting impact on all of us here at the Los Angeles Zoo," Verret said in a statement.

"She was a long-time champion and friend of the LA Zoo who advocated for us and helped to amplify the work we are doing to conserve wildlife. She cared deeply for all living creatures — including us. Her loss leaves a great hole in our hearts."

Verret continued: "The LA Zoo cannot thank Betty enough for her decades of support, and we share in this grief with all of you. There truly will never be another person like her."   

The LA Zoo has previosuly named at least one of its animals after White.

In 2012, a newbork orangutan was named Elka in homage to White's character in Hot in Cleveland, Elka Ostrovsky.

Six years prior, White was honored as the City of Los Angeles' "Ambassador to the Animals" for her lifelong work for animal welfare. 

She was also later named an honorary zookeeper by the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers.

STAR DIED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

Betty White died at her  home early on Friday morning aged 99.