Zoo donates statue to city
March 17th, 2010A heavyweight new arrival charged into Chester today – a gift from the world-class zoo on the city’s doorstep.
Chester Zoo has donated a bronze elephant calf – similar to that at its own main entrance. From its new home on St Werburgh’s Street/Northgate Street, the female calf will be symbolic of the links between the UK’s largest zoo and the city. It is also hoped that the 1m tall statue, sculpted by Hampshire-based sculptress Annette Yarrow, will encourage city tourists to venture to the zoo.
Alasdair McNee, Corporate Director for Chester Zoo, said: “We are delighted to unveil the latest addition to the city centre. Chester city has a world-class attraction – the UK’s largest and most successful zoo – on its doorstep and we hope this magnificent sculpture will be a permanent reminder of that fact. Our own bronze elephant is a huge draw for young and old alike and we hope to recreate this impact in the city. Chester Zoo however is far more than a visitor attraction and has conservation at the core of all its activities. The city’s new calf reflects what the zoo is all about.”
The zoo has been working closely with Chester Renaissance, which has looked after the installation and interpretation for the city’s new attraction.
Renowned sculptress Annette, who also crafted the zoo’s bronze elephant, has drawn on her experience of growing up in India to create the calf, which took her six months to complete.
The elephant installation will be followed shortly by interpretation panels to tell both members of the public and visitors the story of the elephant and the city’s links with the zoo.
March 18th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
The baby elephant sculpture is a really distinctive and enjoyable addition to Chester’s city centre. I rather like the way it is casually standing outside the Cooperative Bank. It’s a piece of art that makes you smile…no bad thing.