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Four-tonne interactive gorilla sculpture wows onlookers at Bristol zoo

Four-tonne interactive gorilla sculpture wows onlookers at Bristol zoo
Dan McGavin, design director from Bakehouse Factory, inspects a giant interactive gorilla sculpture during its unveiling to mark the final opening weeks of Bristol Zoo Gardens (Andrew Matthews/PA)
PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

A giant interactive gorilla sculpture weighing in at more than four tonnes has been turning heads in Bristol.

The installation was unveiled at Bristol Zoo Gardens to mark the final opening weeks ahead of its closure on September 3.

People look up at the giant interactive gorilla sculpture \u2018Wilder\u2019, during it\u2019s unveiling to mark the final opening weeks of Bristol Zoo Gardens in Bristol. Picture date: Thursday July 21, 2022(Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

Dan McGavin, Design Director from Bakehouse Factory, inspects a giant interactive gorilla sculpture \u2018Wilder\u2019, during it\u2019s unveiling to mark the final opening weeks of Bristol Zoo Gardens in Bristol. Picture date: Thursday July 21, 2022(Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

Dan McGavin, Design Director from Bakehouse Factory, inspects a giant interactive gorilla sculpture \u2018Wilder\u2019, during it\u2019s unveiling to mark the final opening weeks of Bristol Zoo Gardens in Bristol. Picture date: Thursday July 21, 2022(Andrew Matthews/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Andrew Matthews

The gorilla, named Wilder, makes surprise movements during the day – such as spraying water and eating lettuce – that are sure to catch visitors off guard.

Weighing more than four tonnes and standing taller than the largest recorded giraffe, Wilder is made from 180 square metres of local yew, cedar, pine and oak.

The materials were given by Westonbirt Arboretum, and the attraction will be on show until the zoo closes in September.

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