Ely: 12 Foot Abandoned Gorilla

2 March 2012, 17:06 | Updated: 2 March 2012, 17:16

An investigation has started after a 12 foot high metal gorilla was dumped near Ely.

It was discovered by a dog walker on a footpath near Sutton Road in Witchford.

East Council District Council is treating the case as a fly-tip.

The Council's Enforcement Officer is currently working with police to investigate the incident and is appealing for anyone who saw the animal being dumped or knows where it came from to come forward.

Mark Mehaffey, Enforcement Officer at East Cambridgeshire District Council said: "In all our years of investigating cases of fly tipping none of us have ever come across a 12 foot metal gorilla. 

Although not in the best of conditions, the ape clearly came from somewhere so we are keen to hear from anyone who has any information about how to the animal got there or knows who owned it. 

Flytipping is something we take very seriously and there are fines of up to £50,000 and five years imprisonment for anyone who is caught dumping waste illegally."

The gorilla is being removed by the authority¹s waste contractors for storage until investigations have been completed.

Anybody with information about the metal gorilla is asked to call 01353 665555 and ask for Mark Mehaffey.

The Council says all calls will be regarded as strictly confidential.