Big Bird costume theft one of many unusual thefts across South Australia in recent years

The mysterious theft of a Big Bird costume from a local circus this week is not the first time thieves have ruffled feathers in Adelaide with their peculiar tastes. See the other weird SA heists.

The bizarre theft of an expensive Big Bird costume this week is not the first unusual thing to be stolen in Adelaide in recent years.

Many South Australians are at a loss as to why anyone would steal the shell of the beloved Sesame Street character, which was being used for the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular at Bonython Park.

The costume, which was stolen from the circus grounds some time between 4.30pm Sunday and 9.30am Monday, is worth $160,000 and is made from genuine ostrich feathers.

Police are investigating after a Big Bird costume was stolen from the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular at Bonython Park. Picture: SA Police

Police received multiple reports on Monday about a Facebook marketplace advertisement for a Big Bird costume at Banksia Park, with the seller describing the costume as “used but in good condition”.

A seller posted a Big Bird costume for sale on Facebook marketplace in Banksia Park, but police confirmed it was a joke. Picture: Facebook

The advertisement said the costume was no longer in use as they had upgraded to a cookie monster costume. Police this morning confirmed the man who posted the advertisement did so in jest.

A trail of feathers was all that was left of Big Bird on nearby Port Road on Monday, with show organisers confused about the disappearance of the costume, used for meeting and greeting for children.

Other unusual heists which occurred in and around Adelaide in recent times include:

THE MISSING BANANAS IN PYJAMAS

Two large toys from the popular children’s show Bananas in Pyjamas were hijacked from the ABC’s Collinswood studio 10 years ago.

The beloved characters went missing for three days in June 2011, before they were returned to the studio by police and roving reporter Spence Denny.

ABC 891 roving reporter Spence Denny with Bananas In Pyjamas soft toys that were stolen from the ABC building foyer in Collinswood.

A 24-year-old Royston Park man, and a 23-year-old Mt Barker woman, were arrested and charged for their offences, appearing in court in August of that year.

SKELETON IN SOMEONE’S CLOSET

Mystery surrounds the theft of a replica fibreglass skeleton from the Adelaide City Library in November of 2017.

Skeleton stolen from orthopaedic exhibition at Adelaide City Library. Picture: Supplied

Police say fake council workers infiltrated the Australian Orthopaedic Association’s travelling exhibition inside the Rundle Mall Library, taking off with the bare-bones display.

Police are investigating the theft of a skeleton from the CBD and have released CCTV of the suspects. Picture: SAPOL

Police later released CCTV footage of three suspects leaving the building with the exhibit, and entering a nearby bus.

The suspects getting on a bus with the skeleton. Picture: SAPOL

PRIZED LION FURSUIT STOLEN FROM WOODVILLE SOUTH

The owner of a distinct lion fursuit planned a memorial for his prized possession after it was taken from his Woodville South home at the end of 2019.

Thieves ransacked the property some time between November 29 and December 9 while the owner, who wanted to be referred to as Basalisk, was away for work.

The lion suit was custom made, and worth about $4000 with a green embroidery chest, nose and paws.

Basalisk compared the theft to someone having their wedding dress stolen.

“The analogy would be like somebody having their wedding dress stolen, because that’s something that is custom made … and has all the memories and sentimental value attached to it,” he said

A custom-made $4000 lion "fursuit" has been stolen from Basalisk's Woodville South home. Picture: Basalisk

The costume was part of a “furry subculture” of people who dress in furry costumes and gather in public spaces, including the Furry Down Under Convention in The Gold Coast.

CHEF LOSES LEMON TREES

Restaurant owner, and MasterChef star Andre Ursini could not contain his sour frustration when lemon trees kept disappearing from his property in 2019.

Thieves repeatedly targeted celebrity chef Andre Ursini lemon trees in 2019. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

His European eatery, Orso, on Kensington Road in Rose Park opened in 2018, and saw four lemon trees disappear from the property within that year.

A frustrated Ursini eventually took to Facebook, posting CCTV of the suspect thief and offering a reward to catch the culprit.

‘PELICAN’ STEALS KNOBS FROM FORMER CROW

Former Adelaide Crows star Rhett Biglands dubbed the person who stole doorknobs from his city sports store “a pelican” in 2016.

Biglands posted CCTV of a man stopping at the Nike store in Rundle Mall in March of that year, yanking three knobs from the door before leaving.

“With everything you have to worry about with owning a business in retail and you get this pelican at 9pm last night … and he steals my $30 glass knobs from China – really ya loser?” Biglands posted on his Facebook page.

GIANT TOILET PAPER ROLLS NICKED FROM PUBLIC LOO

Police released CCTV images in an effort to find two thieves caught stealing toilet paper from a public facility in the state’s northeast in Tungkillo in the peak of the pandemic.

A man and woman were captured on film stealing industrial sized rolls from the block on Brinkworth Road on March 31. The wire cage around the toilet was damaged in the ordeal. The pair were later arrested and faced court.

Police released CCTV images of a couple allegedly stealing toilet paper in Tungkillo