This is why Bristol Zoo has controversially decided to auction off historic Alfred the Gorilla bust 🦍

The 1949 bronze bust of Alfred the Gorilla is among more than 300 items from the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site in Clifton that Bristol Zoological Society is auctioning off to fund a new conservation zoo at Bristol Zoo Project and its ongoing work.

But the auction of the bust has caused controversy among BristolWorld readers, with many calling for it to instead go to Bristol Museum. 

The zoo has now explained why the item, which has a guide price of £5,000 to £8,000, is among those being auctioned.

The zoo noted another item, a death mask made of Alfred, will be kept on display at a new conservation hub in the former zoo entrance building in Clifton.

“The items currently for sale in the public auction were agreed upon once we were sure the Society’s history was protected,” said Hannah Windross, director of people and public engagement.

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“For example, we are only selling the artist's impression bronze bust of Alfred, as we know the death mask will in the future be on public display.

“It has taken a lot of planning to get to this stage. And the money from the sale of these items will be spent on building a new conservation zoo and will help to deliver education and conservation work, helping to Save Wildlife Together.”

Hannah also explained plans for the new conservation hub at the old zoo in Clifton.

She added: “The Society’s plans for the old zoo in Clifton will see the site open to the public as a park, free to access for the first time in the site’s history.

“This means everyone will be able to see the now-listed Bear Pit, Aviary, and Monkey Temple.

“At the same time, the iconic zoo entrance building will be turned into a new Clifton Conservation Hub, with a café, community spaces for groups, and a permanent exhibition of the zoo’s history.

“Bristol Zoological Society has kept items to display here, including the most important Alfred Mask, the death mask.

“The mask will be displayed alongside items such as the original Zoo Keepers ‘Animal Bedtime’ Bell and the original founding documents for the site (currently stored for safekeeping in Bristol City Council’s archives).”

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She continued: “At the same time, we also want to keep some of the history on display at Bristol Zoo Project to keep the story of our conservation charity alive.

“For this reason, we are currently recreating the old herbaceous border from the Clifton site at Bristol Zoo Project.

“This involves transplanting the plants and moving the Mute Swan bronze sculpture, which was in Bristol Zoo Gardens.”

Alfred was the longest-living gorilla in captivity in the world when he died at Bristol Zoo in 1948.

He was stuffed and put on display in a glass case at the city's museum, where he became a popular attraction.