London Zoo Removes Banksy's Gorilla Mural
- London Zoo removed Banksy's gorilla mural from its entrance gate.
- The painting was the last of the animal-themed works by the street artist in London.
- The removal was done for protection purposes.
— A recent mural by the elusive street artist Banksy, depicting a gorilla and other animals appearing to escape from the London Zoo, has been removed for safekeeping. The zoo took down the artwork from its gate on Friday evening to restore normal operations after an influx of visitors flocked to see the piece over the past week. The mural was replaced with a reproduction and a cheeky sign reading, “Banksy woz ere.” Kathryn England, the zoo’s chief operating officer, expressed gratitude for the attention the artwork has brought to wildlife, calling it a significant moment in the zoo's history. The mural features an ape lifting a gate, allowing birds to fly free and a sea lion to wander away, with three sets of eyes peering from the darkness, prompting interpretations about the role of zoos and guerrilla art. This mural is the latest in a series of animal-themed works by Banksy, many of which have faced theft or vandalism. Notably, a howling wolf painted on a satellite dish was taken shortly after Banksy confirmed its authenticity on social media. Other pieces, including a big cat on a billboard, have also been removed for protection, with plans for public display in the future. Jasper Tordoff, a Banksy expert, suggested that the final mural may imply that the animals seen around London originated from the zoo. He noted that Banksy likely anticipated the public's reaction to his work, hinting at the possibility of the mural being displayed inside the zoo, where it can be appreciated without direct contact.