STAFF at a garden centre have issued a light-hearted appeal to find a "beloved" member of their team after it was stolen.
The team at Reynard Nursery in Carluke went to work on Monday morning to discover that Gary, an 8ft fibreglass model of a gorilla that sits pride of place at the centre’s entrance, had disappeared.
Now they are hoping that the power of social media will help get Gary home and they are urging any witnesses or those with dashcam footage to get in touch.
In a video posted on TikTok, a spokesperson for the nursery said: “As many of you will know Gary was an ape of few words, but he also brought along joy to ourselves and customers.
“We ask you to keep a look out for Gary in the hope in that he is returned safe and sound to his family.
“He is described as 8ft tall with a grumpy demeanour, and he does have cataracts in his eyes, but our Gary wouldn’t hurt a fly. He also has a distinctive scarring from a case of monkeypox he had last year.”
They then channelled Liam Neeson’s character in Taken in a direct appeal to the thieves, adding: “We do not have money but what do have is a particularly large stock of bananas.
“If you let go of Gary that will be the end of you, but if you don’t, we will look for you, we will find you, and we will grass you to the polis.”
Police confirmed that they were looking into the incident.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.35am on Monday, March 20, we received a report of the theft of an 8ft fibreglass gorilla from outside a premises on Mauldslie Road, Carluke.
“Enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.
“Anyone with information should call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0588 of Monday, March 20, 2023.”
