Dubai's missing gorilla Gorgeous George has been found

The life-size gorilla went missing on Thursday morning.

A 40kg, one-metre tall Gorilla has gone missing in Dubai. But don't fear, it's not the real McCoy, it's just a replica of the herbivorous ape.
The life-like looking silver back - dubbed Gorgeous George - was last seen sitting in the entrance of the air-conditioned Jungalow at the front of the 'Lost World' - a vast tropical jungle created inside Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina's Barasti venue. He was later returned by the culprit.
In what appeared to be a friendly case of kidnap, management at the hotel told Khaleej Times that Barasti staff have become "very fond of Gorgeous George" and their only request to the practical joker/s is to "bring George home".
"Whoever the prankster/s are that have Gorgeous George, there won't be any questions asked as long as he is returned home unharmed - he's truly missed."
Staff first realised George - who shared the tropical Jungalow with 60 life-size animal replicas including dinosaurs, alligators, chimpanzees and toucans - was missing while closing the bar in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Though the gorilla had only graced the staff with his presence for one evening, they all grew very attached to him and had even launched a social media campaign, with the hashtag #BringGeorgeHome, to ensure his safe return.
But it seems George caught the attention of others too, subsequently resulting in his vanishing act.
Speaking to a spokesperson on Thursday, they said some promising leads have come up following the disappearance of Gorgeous George.
"We've had a number of lookalikes being shared via Barasti's social media page throughout the day, and one report earlier this morning suggested he was spotted near the Burj Khalifa - although we're not sure how accurate that is."
And now, hundreds of residents in Dubai have joined the hunt for Gorgeous George, he said.
On its official Instagram account, @barastibeach posted a picture of what could be the missing ape, sitting by a swimming pool:
"Spotted by Kristian Neusuess - could this be our missing Gorgeous George?!?! #BringGeorgeHome Has anyone got anymore information? #BarastiLostWorld #barastibeach#barastibeachbar #mydubai #dubai," the post read.
To which one Instagram user replied: "Heard this on the radio this morning.....not gonna lie, I laughed, but let's get Gorgeous George back to his rightful home. #BringGeorgeHome."
As the hunt continues for Gorgeous George, staff said they're hopeful of his return. But extra security measures will be taken to ensure he doesn't go walkabout again.
"If and when George is returned to Barasti, he'll be secured to the structure more permanently along with the rest of The Lost World menagerie."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai