Caesar, a 4ft fibreglass gorilla, has found a new home after being evicted from his previous location. The primate, who once had a stable place in the community, now enjoys a fresh start as a viral sensation. His journey has taken him to the heart of London, where he is now proudly displayed at Flight Centre’s store on South Molton Street.
Previously, Caesar was a fixture in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where he was displayed by his owner, Adele Teale, for 12 months. The 59-year-old has always been passionate about gorillas and had cared for Caesar for 15 years before moving to Leeds. However, in early 2023, she received a notice from Wakefield Council that someone had complained, and she was required to remove Caesar due to lack of planning permission.
Despite this setback, Caesar’s story took an unexpected turn. He made a scenic trip to London, stopping by iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, Downing Street, and Piccadilly Circus. Joe Beevis, general manager of Flight Centre, shared his excitement about the partnership: “We send nature lovers to see wildlife in Africa every year, so when we heard Caesar needed a new home, it felt like the natural fit. Caesar is a reminder that the best wildlife encounters are live ones.”
He added, “Booking with companies who take sustainable tourism seriously, such as our travel partner Intrepid Travel, means the animals, their habitats and local communities that make those moments possible can continue to thrive.” Flight Centre ensured Caesar’s welfare during the move and welcomed him to London with open arms. “He’s now installed at our South Molton Street store and is adjusting to Mayfair life very well. We’ve had no complaints, though he has developed strong opinions about the air conditioning.”
Adele, Caesar’s owner, expressed her relief and happiness with the outcome. “Caesar has been part of my life for more than 20 years and I wasn’t going to give up on him without a fight, but I’m really glad this is how it’s ended up. He’s not gone forever; he’s just heading to London for a bit, which feels very him.”
She continued, “I was glad to be there to hand him over in person and I know he’s going to be properly looked after by Flight Centre, who care as much about animal welfare as I do.” Caesar’s fans can now visit him in person at Flight Centre’s store on South Molton Street, Mayfair.
To celebrate his arrival, Flight Centre is offering 10% off selected Africa Tours with Intrepid Travel for a limited time. For more details, visit the website. Stay up to date with the stories everybody’s talking about by signing up to the News Updates newsletter.
