‘Absolutely bananas’: Police recover stolen silverback gorilla from Victorian property

The 1.5m gorilla statue was allegedly stolen from a retirement home in Melbourne.

When Garry the silverback gorilla went missing from a Victorian retirement community, investigators knew they wouldn’t put up with that kind of “monkey business”.

An investigation into the whereabouts of the 1.5m gorilla statue was quickly launched after the much-loved primate was taken from the St Helena community in Melbourne’s northeast last month.

Garry the silverback gorilla went missing from a St Helena retirement community last month. Picture: Victoria Police.

Following extensive inquiries into Garry’s disappearance, police homed in on a Reservoir property before calling in the Air Wing to conduct a fly over of the residence.

Police confirmed the “pilots went absolutely bananas” when they spotted Garry the gorilla perched between two garages.

Police launched an Air Wing operation to help locate the statue. Picture: Victoria Police.

Police recovered the silverback gorilla and he will be returned to the retirement community on Wednesday. Picture: Victoria Police.

Police quickly swooped in to rescue Garry, executing a search warrant on Monday.

Garry was carefully carried from the property by two officers and will return to his natural habitat on Wednesday.

Investigations into the theft are ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious should contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au