'Banksy woz ere.' London Zoo is the latest to remove street artist's animal mural for protection

LONDON — The gorilla and other animals that appeared to have escaped from the London Zoo in Banksy 's most recent work have been taken into safekeeping.

The zoo said it removed the elusive street artist's mural on its gate Friday evening to preserve it and return its entrance to full operation after mobs of visitors came to see it over five days last week.

It was covered with a reproduction of the work and a sign using British slang that said: ''Banksy woz ere.''

''We're thrilled by the joy this artwork has already brought to so many, but primarily, we're incredibly grateful to Banksy, for putting wildlife in the spotlight,'' Kathryn England, the zoo's chief operating officer, said on its website. ''This has become a significant moment in our history that we're keen to properly preserve.''

The work spraypainted with a stencil showed an ape holding up part of the roll-down gate, allowing birds to fly off and a sea lion to waddle away as three sets of eyes peered out from the darkness inside.

It was the final animal-themed work by the artist to pop up over nine consecutive days around London. And it's the most recent one to disappear from public view.

The meaning of works by the artist known for making political statements has been widely debated online. The zoo said its mural had sparked thought-provoking conversations from people ranging from a 5-year-old to Banksy buffs. Some suggested it was a play on guerrilla art or a comment on the role of zoos.

Banksy, who began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, has become one of the world's best-known artists though he has always shielded his identity. His paintings and installations sell for millions of dollars at auction and have drawn thieves and vandals.

The zoo mural is at least the fifth in the animal series to be either stolen, defaced or moved to a secure place for protection.

A howling wolf painted on a satellite dish to look like it's silhouetted against a full moon was taken by masked men hours after the artist confirmed it was his work by posting photos of it on his Instagram page. A rundown old billboard that featured a big cat stretching out was removed by a crew as onlookers jeered them.

The billboard's owner told police it would be reassembled at an art gallery, the BBC reported.

A rhinoceros painted on a brick wall that appeared to be mounting a broken-down Nissan parked on the sidewalk was tagged with graffiti and the car was taken away.

Jasper Tordoff, the Banksy expert at MyArtBroker, told The Associated Press that he liked the idea that the final mural in the series may have been the revelation that all those other animals — elephants, a goat, monkeys and pelicans — seen around London had come from the zoo.

But he also said the artist, well aware of the attention any of his works receives, may have been anticipating public reaction that went beyond simple appreciation.

''He might also be making a comment on our human nature to desire to own things, even if that means breaking the law,'' Tordoff said. ''But then also in quite a nice way to also try and look after these pieces and preserve them.''

The zoo, which had protected the mural when it was on display behind a see-through plastic shield and guarded by security officers, has not announced what it will do with the work.