Giraffes sculpture for zoo's city art trail spotted about town

A huge giraffe sculpture was spotted ‘about town’ getting ready for Edinburgh Zoo’s Giraffe About Town art trail taking to the streets.

More than 40 huge giraffe sculptures will take to the streets

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The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is bringing a trail of a herd of eight-foot-tall giraffe models to the city next summer to help recovery after lockdown and raise much needed funds for wildlife conservation.

Each sculpture will be designed and decorated by artists and communities to create the large-scale public art event in partnership with Wild in Art, who also worked on the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail.

They were spotted around town

Over 40 sculptured will be placed in iconic locations and hidden gems around the city for the family friendly event which organisers say will help celebrate the capital’s cultural heritage.

Artists worked with the zoo to paint the first sculpture in a top secret location at the zoo.

David Field, RZSS chief executive, said, “Following a wonderful welcome for our real-life giraffes in their new hilltop home at Edinburgh Zoo, we now want to share these majestic giants with the city of Edinburgh and visitors from around the UK and the world, through a stunning, family- friendly art trail.

“After the immense challenges we have all faced over the last year, Giraffe About Town will help local people and tourists fall in love with Edinburgh all over again by encouraging them to get out about town and explore these beautiful sculptures, while at the same time supporting the recovery of our wildlife conservation charity.”

A visit to Portobello

“The Covid-19 pandemic forced the closures of Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park for five months, costing RZSS over £1.5 million,” said Field.

“Raising funds to continue our work is incredibly important and we have been touched by the support we have received from animal lovers who are passionate about protecting wildlife.

“Giraffe About Town is one way we can say thank you and bring a feelgood factor back to Edinburgh with something truly special.

Charlie Langhorne, Managing Director and Co-founder of Wild in Art said, “Our events are designed to bring the enjoyment of public art to everyone and we hope that businesses will recognize the cultural benefits of getting involved and sponsoring a giraffe as well as the positives for the local community.”

Money raised from the event will support Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS conservation work globally.

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