The gorilla and other animals that appeared to have escaped from the London Zoo in Banksy 含羞草研究社榮 most recent work have been taken into safekeeping.

The zoo said it removed the elusive street artist含羞草研究社檚 mural on its gate Friday evening to preserve it and return its entrance to full operation after mobs of visitors came to see it over five days last week.

It was covered with a reproduction of the work and a sign using British slang that said: 含羞草研究社淏anksy woz ere.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e thrilled by the joy this artwork has already brought to so many, but primarily, we含羞草研究社檙e incredibly grateful to Banksy, for putting wildlife in the spotlight,含羞草研究社� Kathryn England, the zoo含羞草研究社檚 chief operating officer, said on its website. 含羞草研究社淭his has become a significant moment in our history that we含羞草研究社檙e keen to properly preserve.含羞草研究社�

The work spraypainted with a stencil showed an ape holding up part of the roll-down gate, allowing birds to fly off and a sea lion to waddle away as three sets of eyes peered out from the darkness inside.

It was the final animal-themed work by the artist to pop up over nine consecutive days around London. And it含羞草研究社檚 the most recent one to disappear from public view.

The meaning of works by the artist known for making political statements has been widely debated online. The zoo said its mural had sparked thought-provoking conversations from people ranging from a 5-year-old to Banksy buffs. Some suggested it was a play on guerrilla art or a comment on the role of zoos.

A representative for Banksy told the Observer that the series was intended to be uplifting and amusing during tough times.

Banksy, who began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, has become one of the world含羞草研究社檚 best-known artists though he has always shielded his identity. His paintings and installations sell for millions of dollars at auction and have drawn thieves and vandals.

The zoo mural is at least the fifth in the animal series to be either stolen, defaced or moved to a secure place for protection.

A howling wolf painted on a satellite dish to look like it含羞草研究社檚 silhouetted against a full moon was taken by masked men hours after the artist confirmed it was his work by posting photos of it on his Instagram page. A rundown old billboard that featured a big cat stretching out was removed by a crew as onlookers jeered them.

The billboard含羞草研究社檚 owner told police it would be reassembled at an art gallery, the BBC reported.

A rhinoceros painted on a brick wall that appeared to be mounting a broken-down Nissan parked on the sidewalk was tagged with graffiti and the car was taken away.

A small police guard post that had a circling school of piranhas painted on its windows so it looked like a fish tank was removed by the City of London. A spokesperson said it would eventually be placed where it can be viewed by the public.

Jasper Tordoff, the Banksy expert at MyArtBroker, told The Associated Press that he liked the idea that the final mural in the series may have been the revelation that all those other animals 含羞草研究社� elephants, a goat, monkeys and pelicans 含羞草研究社� seen around London had come from the zoo.

But he also said the artist, well aware of the attention any of his works receives, may have been anticipating public reaction that went beyond simple appreciation.

含羞草研究社淗e might also be making a comment on our human nature to desire to own things, even if that means breaking the law,含羞草研究社� Tordoff said. 含羞草研究社淏ut then also in quite a nice way to also try and look after these pieces and preserve them.含羞草研究社�

The zoo, which had protected the mural when it was on display behind a see-through plastic shield and guarded by security officers, has not announced what it will do with the work.

Its removal, though, means the work is being conserved 含羞草研究社� like the animals themselves. If it goes back on display it may be inside the zoo where it can be seen but not touched.

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Brian Melley, The Associated Press