Obaysch the Hippopotamus, London Zoo, 1852 (sepia photo)

Captured on an island on the White Nile when he was less than one year old, Obaysch (1849 - 1878) was the first hippopotamus seen in Great Britain since prehistoric times, and the first in Europe since Ancient Rome; The Ottoman Viceroy of Egypt, Abbas Pasha, agreed with the British Consul General, Sir Charles Augustus 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 attracting up to 10,000 visitors each day.