A GIANT gorilla statue stolen from a Scottish garden centre more than a year ago has been returned to its owner after being discovered in a layby.
Last year, Gary the Gorilla – an 8 foot fibreglass model of the primate – was stolen from Reynard Nursery in Carluke.
Staff at the garden centre took to social media to appeal for Gary to be returned, with Police Scotland confirming that officers were looking into the matter.
CCTV footage showed a van removing Gary from the garden centre in March last year but attempts to trace him were unsuccessful.
Now, more than a year on from Gary’s disappearance, he has been returned – at least, partially.
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Staff at Bear Scotland – the body responsible for maintaining Scotland’s trunk road network – found Gary in a layby on the A92 in Fife.
After reading an article about the theft of Gary, Bear Scotland staff took it upon themselves to return the statue to its owner Andrew Scott.
However, the statue has been cut in twain with only Gary’s backside discovered in the layby.
The frontside of the gorilla remains missing.
Speaking to STV News, Scott said he wouldn’t give up hope in being reunited with Gary’s other half.
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“I’m shocked and upset that he has been dealt with in such a harsh manner,” he said.
“Sickening in a way that we now know we won’t get him back in one piece.
“We are wondering why his remaining half was dumped in such a way and also wondering if he is in the Dundee area in someone’s home or private garden room.
“We intend to place his other half inside the garden centre as a memorial of his stature.”
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