Giant interactive gorilla to 'wow crowds' at Bristol Zoo Gardens
The animated sculpture will be the 'centre piece' of summer festivities to mark the closure of the Bristol Zoo Gardens
An interactive gorilla made of wood will be the 'centre piece' of Bristol Zoo Gardens’ summer celebrations, held to mark the final weeks of the Clifton visitor attraction.
The specially-commissioned sculpture - which is taller than the largest giraffe ever recorded, and as wide as three king size beds - will sit tall on the main lawn from July 21, as part of Bristol Zoo Gardens’ Big Summer Send-Off.
Clad in sustainable wood, organisers hope the installation will captivate visitors with surprise movements and motions throughout the day, as the female gorilla ‘Wilder’ ‘eats’ lettuce.
She will also reveal details that will delight unsuspecting guests – her baby ‘Monty Alan’, a name inspired by the national park in Equatorial Guinea where the Bristol Zoological Society works to protect western lowland gorillas in the wild.
Weighing more than four tonnes, the sculpture has been made from 180 square metres of local yew, cedar, pine and oak, generously donated by Westonbirt Arboretum.
Families will also have the chance to immerse themselves in a fun interactive theatrical experience especially written for the final summer.
Simon Garrett, Head of Public Engagement for Bristol Zoological Society, said: “We’re hugely excited to share details of this exciting arrival at the Zoo, in addition to all the amazing events we have planned for our final summer.
“We know that the Zoo and its animals have played an important role in the lives of many – it is amazing to think that we have welcomed over 90 million visitors.”
The team behind the impressive installation is Bakehouse Factory – a multi-award-winning theatrical events company in Bristol, which is also organising and managing the Zoo’s Big Summer Send-Off programme.
Kate Statham, managing director, Bakehouse Factory added: “The whole Bakehouse team is absolutely thrilled to be working with Bristol Zoo to mark this monumental event. And what better way to do it than by creating something truly monumental? From costume makers to scenic artists, scriptwriters to woodworkers - everyone here is playing a massive part in making this a summer to remember!”
Visitors will be able to experience the Big Summer Send-Off, which runs from July 21 to the Bristol Zoo Gardens’ last day of opening to the public on September 3, before it moves to the Wild Place Project.