OKC Zoo Sing-Along Kicks Off Exhibit Featuring Christmas Hippo

The hippopotamus who found a home at the Oklahoma City Zoo thanks to a popular Christmas song is the star of a new exhibit.

Back in 1953, then 10-year-old Gayla Peevey of Ponca City released a song titled "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas." Donations poured in, and the zoo was able to buy Mathilda the hippo, and present it as a gift to Gayla.

On Sunday, November 20, Gayla returned to the zoo to lead a sing-along of her classic Christmas song, and to kick off a new exhibit all about Mathilda. It will be on display at the Patricia and Byron J. Gambulos ZooZeum until the end of January.