Jungle statue Horace stolen from street

VANDALS have sawn down and stolen one of 130 statues which have been erected around Edinburgh to draw attention to the world’s most endangered species.

Police say they are investigating the theft of the statue of a Rhinocerus Hornbill which was felled and taken from outside the Scottish Gallery on Dundas Street where it had stood as part of the Jungle City project.

Mark Shand, the founder of the Elephant Family charity, which is behind Jungle City says: “Right now, the world’s endangered animals need every bit of help they can get. Horace is a beautiful bird painted by acclaimed artist David Michie OBE.

“The sculptures were expected to raise in the region of £5,000 for vital conservation projects that need every penny.”