London, GB | Formerly of New York, Buenos Aires, Fife, and the Western Cape. | Saoránach d’Éirinn.

Obaysch the Hippo

Obaysch was the first hippopotamus in Britain since prehistoric times. The Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt agreed with the British Consul General to exchange Obaysch for some greyhounds and deerhounds, and the hippo arrived at London Zoo in May of 1850.

The above photograph was taken in 1852 by Juan, Count of Montizón, later the Legitimist Bourbon claimant to the thrones of France and Spain.

Published at 8:19 am on Monday 24 December 2007. Categories: Great Britain.
Comments

My first thought was how contented he looks. My second: did he remain all alone for the rest of his life? A quick google search re-assured me. The thoughtful Viceroy sent a mate after him in 1854, but offspring arrived only in 1870 (slow learners, I suppose, but who after all ever imagined hippos were likely to be clever?).

— L Gaylord Clark 24 Dec 2007 9:27 am
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