Banksy’s Surprise Zoo Mural: Gorillas, Birds, and Sea Lions Delight London Visitors

Unexpected Banksy Mural Discovered at London Zoo

In a surprising turn of events, workers at London Zoo stumbled upon an unexpected mural by the elusive street artist Banksy early this morning. The artwork, discovered at 6:30 a.m. by animal operations manager Dan Simmonds, depicts a gorilla holding the entrance gate, birds in flight, and a sea lion waddling away. Three sets of eyes peer from the darkness inside the mural, adding an element of mystery to the piece.

This latest creation is part of a series of Banksy-created creatures that have been appearing around London for the past nine days. Previous works include a mountain goat on a building buttress, piranhas circling a police guard post, and a rhinoceros mounting a car. Each piece has been posted on Banksy’s Instagram account with a London Zoo hashtag.

Simmonds expressed his surprise and excitement about the discovery, stating, “We were completely caught off guard. It’s an honor to have a Banksy piece at our zoo.” The mural has already generated significant interest, with early morning cyclists stopping to take selfies before the zoo officially opened.

In response to the artwork, the zoo has decided to keep the shutter closed all day to display the mural, which has led to increased visitor interest, particularly among Banksy’s followers.

Banksy, who began his career in Bristol, England, has become a globally recognized artist with works selling for millions. However, his art has often been targeted by thieves and vandals, prompting increased security measures. The zoo has already shielded the mural with a see-through plastic covering to protect it.

Recent incidents involving Banksy’s London series include a rhino artwork being tagged with graffiti, a wolf silhouette stolen hours after discovery, and a big cat artwork removed by men claiming safety concerns. A police sentry box artwork was moved to City of London corporate offices for protection.

As speculation grows about whether the zoo mural is the final piece in the series, Simmonds shared his personal connection to the gorilla depicted in the artwork. “I’ve worked with gorillas for years, and this piece really resonates with me,” he said.

The full meaning and future of the series remain unknown, with only Banksy himself privy to that information. As London continues to buzz with excitement over these unexpected artistic interventions, art enthusiasts and zoo visitors alike eagerly await any potential future developments in this intriguing urban art saga.