Jungle City Exhibition - Hornbill outside The Scottish Gallery, Dundas Street, New Town, Edinburgh

Jungle City Exhibition

Horace

After being displayed in the Royal Botanic Garden, the exhibits in the Jungle City Exhibition were moved to sites mainly around Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town.

This Hornbill, Horace, was perched outside The Scottish Gallery, one of several art galleries in Dundas Street in Edinburgh New Town when it was stolen. The Evening News reported on September 17, 2011:

"Hornbill Horace was ENDANGERED
...and now he is EXTINCT"

However, three days later, the Evening News reported that Horace had been returned. The four-foot high bird was found wrapped in black bags, with a message attached:

"REALLY SORRY!
A TERRIBLE DRUNKEN MISTAKE.
SORRY"

Horace was returned on September 20 to The Scottish Gallery, this time to be perched safely in the foyer of the gallery.

Endangered Species

The 'Jungle City' exhibition came to Edinburgh in August 2011. It comprised over 130 life-size animals, representing endangered species - elephants, tigers, orangutans, crocodiles and hornbills - painted by artists and celebrities.

The animals were all on display in the Royal Botanic Garden from August 16 to September 4. Then from September 6, most of them were moved to other sites in and around the centre of Edinburgh, including Princes Street Gardens.

Charity Auction

The animals are to be auctioned at the end of the exhibition, on September 29 for the conservation charity, 'Elephant Family' that supports endangered African wildlife. The exhibition will also benefit six UK conservation charities.