Hippo Christmas Wish

AP–  Oklahoma City native Gayla Peevey has welcomed another hippopotamus to the city’s zoo, more than 60 years after her song about wanting one for Christmas helped the facility purchase its first.

The singer was on hand as the 26-year-old pygmy hippopotamus Francesca made her first Oklahoma public appearance since moving from San Diego Zoo.

In 1953, the then-10-year-old Peevey sang the novelty hit I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas.

It led to a statewide fund drive in which children donated dimes to purchase and bring a hippo to the zoo.