Obaysch

– 11 March 1878) was the first hippopotamus seen in Great Britain since prehistoric times, and the first in Europe since Ancient Rome.

Obaysch was sent by boat down the Nile to Cairo, accompanied by a herd of cows to provide him with milk.

He was an instant sensation in London, attracting up to 10,000 visitors each day, and spawning a trade in hippo memorabilia and even a Hippopotamus Polka (by L. St. Mars[2]).

[3] Abbas Pasha sent a second hippo to London, a female named Adhela who arrived on 22 July 1854.

[4] Obaysch once escaped from captivity in London Zoo and according to legend a keeper was used as bait to lure him back into his enclosure.