Coventry Zoo and The Zulu

How do you think the Zulu was secured so he didn't fall over?

Back in 1972-1973, I visited a zoological garden somewhere in Coventry where there was a compound containing several monkeys. However, I cannot pinpoint the location of this animal park. The Memorial Gardens come to mind (I know there was an aviary there with peacocks), otherwise I'm at a loss. Can anyone help, please? Thanks.

Hi Pageb45 It was in Whitley and there is a thread on the subject here: The Zulu and The Zoo

From what you are describing i would say Whitley Zoo, I don't remember any monkeys at the Memorial Park an Aviary yes

Thank you, Dutchman and NormK. Now I remember - it was the Whitley Zoo. I was dating a single mother, who lived in Finham at the time. We took her small daughter along and she was fascinated with the monkeys. Appreciate your feedback

The children on here look fascinated too! Coventry Zoo, 1967

I know all the details about the Coventry Zulu and how it was taken down and removed by my dad

Do tell Greeneyes.

to all you out there who remember coventry zoo and the zulu, I as a child also remember this and I'm afraid to say it that the zulu was scrapped in sometime in 2013, so I have been told after making a few enquiries sorry you guys but I remember trying to climb up the zulu with my fathers help,

Hi Paulsadler, If the sources of your enquiries are correct that's a real pity - to lose such a great piece of Coventry history. But I would still hold out hope, as ever since it was removed in 1980 there have been rumours as to the statue's whereabouts. I know the body of the statue was scrapped in 1989 as the whole statue fell apart after spending years laying down in a scrapyard - thefreelibrary.com & thefreelibrary.com/. The Head, Spear and one of the Big Toes were saved before the destruction of the rest of the statue - coventrytelegraph.net - and were reported on in 2011. I don't believe the head and spear would have been scrapped as they were mostly fibreglass with just chicken wire-like mesh inside with a few support rods - I would have thought they would be worth much more as decorative items than as scrap. The owners of the face and spear were trying to find a new home for the pieces in 2011 - I'm not sure what happened after that. Unfortunately I never got the chance to see the statue as the zoo was closed before I was born - but my parents remember it. It's one of the things that all people born in the 1960's remember - like the roundabout ride outside the market (run by "Uncle Bob And Auntie Flo") and the Santa ride in the Co-op. It would be great to know what happened to the head, spear and toe. Thanks, Luke.