"What's cool about this is that she'll forever be 10 years old ... and Mathilda, however old she was, she's back with us." ...

Oklahoma City native Gayla Peevey speaks about her iconic Christmas song and decades-long bond with the OKC Zoo as a statue ...

Oklahoma City Zoo will unveil a new statue honoring Gayla Peavey, the local singer behind "I Want a Hippopotamus for ...

The Oklahoma City Zoo unveiled a statue commemorating Gayla Peevey, the singer behind “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” ...

The OKC Zoo dedicates its new bronze art installation "Gayla’s Hippo Hero," which celebrates the connection between the zoo ...

In 1953, Gayla Peevey used the popularity of her hit "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" to help the OKC Zoo get its first hippo. Mathilda.

In 1953, Gayla Peevey used the popularity of her hit "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" to help the OKC Zoo get its first hippo. Mathilda.

An Oklahoma Christmas music legend is getting some permanent recognition, as the OKC Zoo is honoring Gayla Peevey with a statue of her and her beloved Christmas gift.

With inspiration from the song and the zoo's desire for a hippo, a fundraising campaign began, with schoolchildren pitching in with donations.