Banksy’s latest creation has appeared on the gates of London Zoo, marking the final installment in his unexpected series of animal-themed artworks displayed across the city. The new piece features a dramatic scene: a gorilla lifting a shutter to free a sea lion and several birds, with other animals observing from within.
The artist has created this piece as the ninth in a series that began on August 5, revealing a new animal image each morning.
Previous artworks include depictions of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, a cat, piranhas, and a rhinoceros.
A spokesperson for London Zoo called the new artwork “absolutely brilliant” and assured the public that they would preserve it. Daniel Simmonds, the zoo’s animal operations manager, expressed his excitement, stating, “Banksy has become part of the London scene, and it’s really nice to share his iconic status with, ultimately, one of the most iconic zoos in the entire world. We feel quite honored that he chose to use our front shutters to showcase one of his incredible artworks this morning.
Simmonds further mentioned that the zoo staff were unaware of Banksy’s plans to feature this artwork at their location, adding to the intrigue surrounding the artist’s work. “That’s part of the amazing enigma of Banksy and that’s why it’s so exciting to come in this morning,” he said.
Security guards have stationed themselves around the mural and erected a barrier to protect the artwork. The zoo will keep the shutter closed for the day, using alternative entrances to allow visitors to view the piece. Simmonds noted that additional crowds are expected, with thousands already booked to visit.
“We’ll definitely preserve it,” he confirmed. “We might even look at putting some perspex around it. The last thing we want, with typical London weather and after one of the worst winters ever, is to see this damaged.”
The new piece is set to remain at its current location for the immediate future, though it might be relocated later.
This commitment to preservation follows incidents where vandals partially defaced or removed earlier works in the series. For example, vandals defaced with graffiti a mural in Charlton depicting a rhinoceros on a Nissan Micra shortly after its unveiling. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has expressed disappointment over the vandalism and is considering future measures to protect the artwork.
The series has also lost other pieces to theft or removal, including a satellite dish with a wolf image from Peckham and a billboard with a stretching cat from Cricklewood. Banksy’s team has confirmed that the London Zoo piece is the final work in the series, which has captivated fans and observers throughout the week.