London Zoo removes Banksy animal mural to protect it

LONDON (AP) — The gorillas and other animals that escaped from London Zoo in Banksy His latest work is kept in a safe place.

The zoo said it removed the mystery street artist's mural from its gate Friday evening to preserve it and restore its entrance to full operation after crowds of visitors came to see it over five days last week.

It was covered with a replica of the artwork and a sign reading in British slang: “Banksy was here.”

“We are so happy with the joy this artwork has already brought to so many people, but above all, we are so grateful to Banksy for putting wildlife in the spotlight,” Kathryn England, the zoo’s director of operations, said on its website. “This is a momentous moment in our history and we are keen to preserve it properly.”

The artwork, sprayed using a mold, shows a monkey holding part of the opening gate, allowing birds to fly away, and a sea lion swaying away as three sets of eyes peer out from the darkness inside.

It was Final work on the subject of animals Produced by the artist who has been on display for nine consecutive days across London, it is the latest artwork to disappear from view.

The artist, known for his political statements, has sparked widespread debate online. The zoo said its mural sparked thought-provoking conversations among people ranging from 5-year-olds to Banksy fans. Some suggested it was a play on guerrilla art or a comment on the role of zoos.

A Banksy representative told the Observer that the series was meant to be uplifting and entertaining during difficult times.

Banksy began his career painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world's most famous artists, although he has always kept his identity hidden. Sold for millions of dollars at auction And I drew Thieves and The saboteurs.

The zoo mural is at least the fifth in a series of animals that have been stolen, mutilated or taken to a safe place for protection.

Masked men captured a howling wolf painted on a satellite dish to look like the silhouette of a full moon hours after the artist confirmed the image was his by posting photos of it on his Instagram page. A crew also removed a dilapidated old billboard showing a big cat lying on the ground as onlookers jeered at them.

The owner of the billboard told police it would be reassembled into an art gallery, the BBC reported.

A unicorn was painted on a brick wall appearing to ride a disabled Nissan parked on the sidewalk, which was tagged with graffiti and the car was removed.

The City of London has removed a small police guard station that had a school of piranhas painted on its windows to look like an aquarium. A city spokesman said it would eventually be put back where the public could see it.

Jasper Tordoff, a Banksy expert at MyArtBroker, told the Associated Press that he liked the idea that the final mural in the series might have been a revelation that all those other animals — elephants, goats, monkeys, swans — seen around London came from the zoo.

But he also said that the artist, who is well aware of the attention any of his works receive, may have expected a public reaction beyond simple appreciation.

“Maybe he was also commenting on our human nature to want to own things, even if it means breaking the law,” Tordoff said. “But also in a very gentle way, trying to take care of these pieces and preserve them.”

The zoo, which protected the mural while it was on display behind a clear plastic shield and under security guard, has not announced what it will do with the work.

But removing the statue means preserving it — like the animals themselves. If it is put back on display, it might be inside a zoo where it can be seen but not touched.