Great Gorillas auction raises incredible sum

The Paignton Zoo Great Gorillas Project auction has raised £100,000.

A total of £99,800 was bid on the night - a donation of £200 made the sum up to six figures.

The project, celebrating Paignton Zoo's 90th birthday, is supporting gorilla conservation and Children's Hospice South West.

Life-size model gorillas, sponsored by businesses and community groups, painted in original designs by specially-commissioned artists and displayed in public, created a unique art trail around Exeter and the English Riviera during the summer.

27 large gorillas and two smaller cousins went under the hammer at a prestigious charity auction night at the Palace Theatre, Paignton.

Three full sized gorillas were not included in the auction: Lilo (sponsored by Torbay Council, the Herald Express and Hi-Line) will go back on display in public places around the Bay; Francis (sponsored by Francis Clark) was pre-purchased by the sponsors; and Herbert, who will stay at Paignton Zoo.

One gorilla - Five Minutes to Midnight - was sold in aid of Children's Hospice South West.

Pippa Craddock, Paignton Zoo's Director of Marketing & Development, said: "It was an amazing night wrapping up an amazing project in really great style. Thank you to all our partners and sponsors, to everyone who helped out and to everyone who bought a gorilla."

The Great Gorillas Project is in part raising money to help the Cross River gorillas found along the southern section of the Nigeria-Cameroon border. Fewer than 300 Cross Rivera gorillas remain in the wild. It is the most endangered African ape, ranking among the world's 25 most endangered primate species.

Great Gorillas partners include Torbay Council, Creative Torbay, Torbay Town Centres Company, Exeter City Council the English Riviera Tourism Company and Wild in Art. For further information go to: www.greatgorillas.org.uk.