A 4kg resin statue of a gorilla, known as Caesar, has been moved from a residential home in Wakefield to a travel agency in London after a local council issued an enforcement notice for its removal.
Adele Teale, 59, was instructed by Wakefield Council to remove the statue from outside her terraced home within four weeks, or face legal action and a potential £20,000 fine. Despite an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, the order was upheld, with a council officer stating that Caesar constituted a 'development' due to its 'size, degree of permanence, and physical attachment.' The council's planning director, Joe Jenkinson, explained that the statue was considered 'out-of-character with the surrounding area' and required planning permission.
Teale had previously kept the statue outside her home in Belle Isle, Leeds, for 15 years without issue before selling it. She repurchased it for £600 in August 2024 and placed it on a plinth outside her Wakefield home. In May of the previous year, the council's planning team contacted her regarding the statue's placement.
Caesar was transported to London by a 'Gorilla Adoption Team' working for travel agents Flight Centre. Teale expressed that she was glad the statue had a new home, stating, 'He's not gone forever, he's just heading to London for a bit, which feels very him.' She added that she was pleased to hand Caesar over in person and was confident he would be well cared for by Flight Centre.
Before arriving at its new location on South Molton Street in Mayfair, Caesar was taken on a tour of London, passing by landmarks such as Big Ben, Downing Street, and Piccadilly Circus. Joe Beevis, General Manager of Flight Centre, commented that the relocation felt like a 'natural fit' given the company's involvement in nature tourism. He also emphasized that Caesar serves as a reminder of the importance of live wildlife encounters and sustainable tourism practices.
Caesar is now installed at the Flight Centre store and is reportedly adjusting well to his new environment.