London, Aug 8 (Reuters) – A Goat, Two Elephants, Three Monkeys, and One Wolf: Banksy’s Latest Murals Spark Speculation

Four new murals by the elusive street artist Banksy have appeared in London this week, leaving many to ponder the meaning behind his latest creations.

The series began on Monday with a mountain goat, seemingly perched precariously on a ledge with rocks tumbling below, rendered in Banksy’s signature stencil style on a wall in Richmond, west London.

Next, two elephant heads emerged, peering out of blocked windows on the side of a house in the affluent Chelsea district. This was followed by three monkeys, appearing to swing from a railway bridge near Brick Lane in east London.

The week concluded with the silhouette of a wolf, howling at the sky from a satellite dish atop a heavily graffitied building in Peckham, southeast London, which appeared on Thursday. Banksy has since shared images of each work on his Instagram account.

In a surprising twist, London’s Metropolitan Police reported that the satellite dish had been stolen within hours of its unveiling. Local media captured images of the dish being removed by a masked individual.

As with many of Banksy’s works, theories abound on social media regarding the intended message. The artist, known for addressing themes such as war and climate change, has left the public speculating once again.

Some have suggested that the murals comment on the recent riots and racist attacks that have gripped the UK, while others interpret them as a metaphor for humanity’s self-destructive path.

“Nice one Banksy. I see this as a critique on the wild and chaotic behaviour currently erupting across the UK. Far right thugs on the prowl,” commented one Instagram user, “barrybrexiter.”

Another user, “leticia_vega,” added, “Humanity is not going to last … animals will be taking over.”

Banksy’s previous mural in London depicted green paint sprayed across the side of a building, mimicking the foliage of a nearby pruned tree. Many interpreted that work as a call to preserve nature.

In December, Banksy also created a mural of three drones on a stop sign in Peckham, which was stolen shortly after it appeared.

As always, Banksy’s latest works have ignited public imagination, leaving viewers to decipher their meaning in a world that is often as complex as the artist’s own enigmatic persona.