Obaysch

right|thumb|240px|Crowds look on as Obaysch rests in the London Zoo in this 1852 photograph taken by [[Juan, Count of Montizón.]] right|thumb|240px|Hippopotamus Polka sheet-music cover Obaysch (1849? – 11 March 1878) was the first hippopotamus seen in Great Britain since prehistoric times, and the first in Europe since Ancient Rome. He was captured on an island on the White Nile when he was less than one year old. His name is derived from the name of the island.

The Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt, Abbas Pasha, agreed with the British consul general, Sir Charles Murray (later known as "Hippopotamus Murray") to swap Obaysch and some other exotic animals for some greyhounds and deerhounds. Obaysch was sent by boat down the Nile to Cairo, accompanied by a herd of cows to provide him with milk. He was sent by P&O steamer to Southampton, and he arrived at London Zoo on 25 May 1850. 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). The number of visitors to the Zoo in 1850 was double the previous year.