Banksy has been active in recent weeks. In August, the artist has created several public works on buildings in the British capital – including one on one of the entrances to London Zoo. The painting, which depicts animals escaping, has become popular and attracted crowds of people to the zoo's entrance.
Too popular, thinks the zoo's management, which has had to adjust its admission policy due to all the people gathering daily to view the painting. For five days, both guards and a transparent barrier have protected the installation, reports BBC.
Now, London Zoo has chosen to move the work.
"We are delighted with the joy that this artwork has already brought to so many, but above all, we are incredibly grateful to Banksy for putting animal life in the spotlight," says Kathryn England, operational manager, on the zoo's website.
The work was taken down on Friday evening and has now been replaced with a copy. It is unclear what will happen to the original work, other than that it will be "preserved", according to the zoo.
In August, nine Banksy works have appeared in London. All have had an animal theme and at least five of them have either been moved, vandalized or stolen, according to the news agency AP.
The purpose of the animal paintings has sparked discussions. A representative for Banksy claims, however, that the series is intended to be uplifting and entertaining during difficult times, according to The Observer.
