A three-boat flotilla carrying a selection of colourful, life-sized gorilla sculptures toured Bristol’s Floating Harbour today to launch Bristol Zoo’s Wow! Gorillas – a mass public art trail across the city.
Some 60 unique gorilla sculptures are being placed around Bristol’s streets and parks over the next few days as part of the zoo’s 175th birthday celebrations.
Each has been sponsored by businesses, organisations and charities from across the region and decorated by local artists – giving each WoW! Gorilla a unique style.
Around 100 small gorillas will also pop up sponsored and decorated by youngsters from across the city’s primary schools and nurseries.
At this morning’s launch ceremony in the Radisson Blu hotel, Bristol Zoo director Dr Bryan Carroll said: “The zoo is one of the best stories to come out of Bristol, which is not always good at celebrating its own good news.
“As well as showcasing the wealth of creative talent the city has to offer, Wow! Gorilla will attract tourists to Bristol while also encouraging Bristolians to be tourists in their own city. The trail also aims to engender civic pride, stimulate the local economy and create a fun event for everyone to enjoy. Not only this, but they will raise valuable funds for two very worthy causes – gorilla conservation and Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Appeal.”
When the 10-week exhibition ends the sculptures will be sold at a prestigious charitable auction on September 29 to raise money for Bristol Zoo’s gorilla conservation projects and the Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal, which raises funds for Bristol’s Children’s Hospital. The small gorillas will be returned to their respective schools.
Meanwhile plans for the zoo’s innovative and spectacular world-leading 55 hectare wildlife reserve on Bristol’s northern outskirts remain on hold.
Dr Carroll told Bristol Business News: “We are reviewing strategy – now is not the best time to be fund raising for a £120m project.”
The reserve will be divided into exhibit areas which take visitors on a journey around the world including to the Congo Tropical Forest, Sumatra Rainforest, British Ancient Woodland and Indian Ocean Coral Reef. All the exhibits have been selected following extensive research to identify areas of high conservation need.
Dr Carroll, who took over as director last September, added: "We have the concept and planning permission – it’s just a matter of determining the timing.”
However, business at Bristol Zoo Gardens in Clifton is holding up well. Dr Carroll said: “We are very pleased with the number of visitors so far this year.”
