If you’ve been to Exeter or Torbay in the last six months, it would have been difficult to miss the multi-coloured Gorillas that have been dotted around various landmarks. These wonderful statues were put in place to raise awareness about The Great Gorilla Project.
For 10 weeks, 30 life-size gorilla sculptures inhabited the streets, parks and open spaces showcasing the wealth of artistic talent in the area, while highlighting the significant conservation threat facing wild gorillas.
On Wednesday 6th November, the entire ‘band’ of Gorillas was put up for auction at a special event arranged by Paignton Zoo at the Palace Theatre… and one of them was purchased by Cosmic non-executive director, Dave Ratcliffe.
Dave said of his purchase “I bought it at the charity auction as my wife and I thought they were fun and the money is going to Gorilla conservation as well as to the Children’s Hospice South West. She (Miss Prints, who lived just outside of the Harlequins Shopping Centre during her stay in Exeter) will now live in our garden in Dawlish, overlooking the coastal path.”
Dave paid £3,000 for his Gorilla and in total; £100,000 was raised on the night. The figure was actually £99,800 but someone made an anonymous donation of £200 to make it up to six figures.
“We have nick-named her ‘Pandora’ as she has a panda face.” Dave went on to tell us, “We have a lovely springer spaniel named Alfie who has taken to the latest addition to our family very well and now has a penchant for sleeping underneath her – she will live in the Conservatory over winter and then be placed overlooking the coastal path in Dawlish from early Spring.”
When Pandora makes her grand entrance next spring, we’ll be sure to post some photos of her in her new home. Until then, we’ll leave you to picture what a six foot tall Gorilla looks like in Dave’s conservatory!