On August 13, renowned street artist Banksy unveiled what is anticipated to be the ninth and possibly final mural of his animal-themed series across London. The new artwork, painted on the shutters of London Zoo, features a gorilla forcibly opening the shutter to liberate a sea lion and several birds. This mural concludes a series that began on August 12, which includes previous artworks such as a mountain goat, monkeys hanging from a railway bridge, a wolf silhouette on a dish, and pelicans above a fish and chip shop.

The staff at London Zoo expressed their enthusiasm for the new addition. Media manager Rebecca Blanchard reported that the mural has delighted visitors, who have been coming to view and photograph it. The zoo plans to preserve the mural, considering it a significant part of their collection. Blanchard described the artwork as a possible “grand finale” to what she called an “incredible series” celebrating animals. Banksy’s team has confirmed that this mural is intended to be the final piece of the series, though no additional comments have been provided. The murals have prompted widespread discussion on social media, with some theories suggesting they are related to recent national issues such as riots and racial tensions. Others interpret the murals as commentary on humanity’s broader environmental impact. Banksy’s Instagram account has been the main platform for sharing these artworks, further fueling public intrigue and debate.