Banksy’s Mural at London Zoo Reveals Why Wildlife is Popping Up Across the City
Early Tuesday morning, workers arriving at London Zoo were astonished to discover an unexpected exhibition showcasing animals seemingly set free. A mural by the elusive street artist Banksy depicted a gorilla guarding the entrance, while birds flew away and a sea lion waddled into the distance. Three pairs of eyes peered out from the darkness within.
This artwork may explain why Banksy’s creations—from a mountain goat perched on a building’s support to piranhas swimming around a police station and a rhino climbing on a car—have appeared in the most unlikely places across London for nine consecutive days.
Dan Simmonds, the Director of Animal Operations at the zoo, noted that each piece posted on Banksy’s Instagram account carried the hashtag of London Zoo. However, he never imagined the artist would adorn the zoo’s entrance. “Part of the mystery of Banksy is that everything is a surprise,” Simmonds remarked. “We certainly didn’t expect it to happen right here on one of our main entrance gates. But when I saw it, I realized we were quite fortunate.”
Simmonds discovered the mural around 6:30 a.m. while arriving to start feeding the hungry animals. Cyclists who ride around Regent’s Park, home to the zoo, each morning quickly stopped to snap selfies with the artwork.
The rolling shutter gate, adorned with the mural, remained closed all day to display the piece. Although this is the zoo’s busy season, the famous street artist quickly drew a crowd of followers and onlookers eager to see and photograph the artwork.
Banksy, who began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, UK, has become one of the world’s most renowned artists. His paintings and installations sell for millions at auctions and have attracted thieves and vandals alike. The latest series is no exception, and zoo workers shielded them with a transparent plastic cover by the end of the day.
A rhino that appeared on Monday was tagged with graffiti. A wolf silhouette howling at the moon on a satellite dish roof was stolen just hours after news of the artwork spread last week.
A large cat lounging on the back of a crumbling billboard was removed by three men within hours, who claimed they were hired to dismantle it for safety reasons.
A police lookout post resembling an aquarium was relocated from near the Old Bailey courthouse to corporate offices in the City of London for safekeeping. Eventually, it will be placed where the public can view it.
It’s unclear if the mural at the zoo is the final piece in the series.
Simmonds said the zoo is honored that Banksy chose this location for one of his works. He was particularly thrilled to see the great ape in the mural, as he once served as a gorilla keeper. He speculated that the primate depicted might be a critically endangered western lowland gorilla, a subspecies housed at the zoo. Simmonds identified one of the birds as possibly a macaw and another creature as a bat.
“As for the eyes, who knows—maybe a few cats peering out,” he mused. “That’s the beauty of it. Only Banksy truly knows.”
