"he trotted merrily after his keeper"

September 3, 2019 11:13 AM

Obaysch, the Hippopotamus, London Zoo 1852 [Photograph, The Royal Collection Trust]. Obaysch "was obtained by the London Zoological Society" ... he "arrived in May 1850". ["HRH (His Rolling Hulk)", Cemetery Club post]
posted by readinghippo (6 comments total)

Posted by readinghippo

Eponhysterical Pachydermata.
posted by clavdivs at 11:25 AM on September 3, 2019 [1 favorite]

There is a recent book about Obaysch that has been well-reviewed, if you want to delve deeper.
posted by Rock Steady at 11:27 AM on September 3, 2019 [2 favorites]

Sounds like a nineteenth century Fiona.
posted by MrGuilt at 11:40 AM on September 3, 2019

Oh, I like that Royal Collection Trust site. Metadata for days!
posted by Lawn Beaver at 1:33 PM on September 3, 2019 [1 favorite]

Nor let us forget Hanno the Elephant, pride of Leo X.
posted by BWA at 2:49 PM on September 3, 2019 [1 favorite]

I was a bit surprised to hear that the Natural History Museum burned a bunch of stuffed animals in a virtuous panic (note: my own phrasing, not the article’s) in the 70’s. I guess mindless destruction of cultural relics is a very human thing and easy to overlook in the moment.
posted by Gilgamesh's Chauffeur at 6:43 AM on September 4, 2019 [1 favorite]