Bert at Burges Salmon

Bert in Burges Salmon's Atrium (© Burges Salmon)
Looks like he's been picking his nose again!

Photos of the Gorilla Auction

See here for photos of the gorillas and BBC's Points West's Alex Lovell.  Photos taken by the auctioneers Hollis Morgan.

Bert arrives at Burges Salmon

Bert arrived at his new home at Burges Salmon on Monday afternoon.

He must've been anticipating his new home when he got the gift bag dropped off on Friday...!

Thanks to Bert

 On Friday, I found a gift bag on my doorstep...from Bert.

"Thank you" to him for the sweets, and to the person who helped him deliver them.  I don't think Bert delivered them himself as it may just have been noticed...

Gift bag from Bert

Letter from Bert

Bert bought by Burges Salmon

Smiley Bert in anticipation of being bought and going to a welcoming new home

I got a very nice email on Monday  from a partner at the Bristol law firm Burges Salmon, saying that she had bought Bert at the auction on behalf of the firm.  She said that all the staff are very excited; but not as excited as her 7 year old son.

I have been invited to be interviewed for the in-house newsletter and to meet Bert when he arrives at his new home.

Thanks to Burges Salmon for buying Bert for £6.5K, and for offering him a new home!  All money to go to Ape conservation and The Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal in aid of Bristol Children's Hospital.

Bristol Zoo Wow! Gorillas Auction surpasses all expectations

The back of Bert...

Probably won't see him again...depending on who bought him; a business or an individual and whether he's likely to be on display somewhere or live a more private life in someone's home.

The Auction was very interesting and exciting at times.  Spent quite a lot of time wondering what music might be played to accompany Bert onto the stage.  Previously, a choir had sung Autumn Leaves for Su Lees's Distinctly Different (Dee Dee) with her silver-leaved purple body.  An Elvis singalike in a lovely gold jacket had been "all shook up" for Elvis.  Bert in his pyjamas was serenaded with Mr Sandman written by P. Ballard and sung by The Chordettes.

The Auction was introduced by Dr Bryan Carroll, the zoo's director, the Head of Mammals at the zoo, a doctor from Bristol Children's Hospital, and Charlie Langhorne from Wild in Art.

The artists in the audience were made to stand up and take applause at one stage.  The artist sculptor of Wild in Art, Chris Wilkinson, who designed the gorilla sculpture canvas the other artists painted on, was also acknowledged.

Two gorillas were on stage at any one time having been brought there by territorial army soldiers.  They were each on a revolve so that they could be seen from each angle.  The gorilla to be auctioned was spotlighted, whilst the gorilla-in-waiting was draped in black cloth.  The auction was amusingly conducted by Andrew Morgan of Hollis Morgan.


Endangered PJs was lot 56 and was sold quite quickly for £6 500.  The previous gorilla Still Life: Alfred by Arianne Wolodarsky had raised the second highest price of £12 000.  Lot 53, the giant-hatted Brunel lookalike Gorisambard by Tim Miness had started a bidding war and had been sold for the amazing price of £23 000!

Altogether, the Auction raised £427 300 for the Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal for Bristol Children's Hospital and Ape conservation charities.

The BBC's DIY SOS's Custard was sold in aid of Children in Need for £5250.

See photos of the auction by clicking here.