FIVE MILES worth of wire has been woven and entwined to create a three-metre high elephant structure now proudly in place on a Kidlington roundabout.
The elephant, weighing almost a tonne, was lowered in place by a crane yesterday in front of a crowd of onlookers.
Pupils from Gosford Hill School were among them after taking part in workshops with the elephant’s artist Tony Davies.
It pays homage to the former Oxford Zoo, which although was a short-lived local attraction in the 1930s is still taught in local schools today.
The zoo, which was formerly on the site of the police headquarters from 1931 to 1937, was home to many animals including lions, polar bears, and llamas.
But one of the many celebrity animals for the area was Oxford’s Zoo’s elephant Rosie. She died whilst in Kidlington and is rumoured to be buried somewhere near the site.
The artwork winched into place yesterday is a tribute to Rosie the elephant and was created thanks to funds from Kidlington Parish Council and Cherwell District Council.
Rosie is also joined on the roundabout by a stork and a monkey, plus a zookeeper designed by pupils of Gosford Hill School.
Pupils joined the local community to watch the creation get lowered on to the roundabout off Oxford Road at 11am.
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