Banksy unveils animals on the streets of London as many ponder over its meaning

The six new murals painted by artist Banksy have puzzled many over their meaning. The artwork included a goat, two elephants, three monkeys and one wolf that appeared in the streets of London this week.

The art embodied Banksy's signature stencil style which is famous worldwide. Banksy, a pseudonymous street artist, political activist, and film director, is based in Bristol, England and maintains his identity hidden.

On Monday (Aug 12), the goat appeared on a wall in Richmond, West London. It shows a mountain goat perched on a small ledge with stones falling off the edge.

In the second art, two elephant heads appeared on two blocked-out windows of a house in Chelsea. The third, three monkeys, were seen on a railway bridge near east London's Brick Lane.

Another piece of art, a wolf howling, appeared on a satellite dish on top of a building filled with graffiti in Peckham, southeast London, on Thursday (Aug 8). However, the satellite dish was reportedly stolen within hours according to London's Metropolitan Police.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Banksy (@banksy)

Two birds and a feline animal were also among his art. They have been posted by Banksy on his Instagram account, swirling theories about their meaning. Banksy has previously depicted themes like war and climate change in his art.

While some relate his latest art to riots and racist attacks that took place in the country in the last week, others speculate it depicts humanity's downfall.

"I think these artworks are a reminder that the natural world still exists but humans are replacing it with cities...we need to protect our wildlife and their habitats before we lose them," a user on Instagram commented.

"Nice one Banksy. I see this as a critique of the wild and chaotic behaviour currently erupting across the UK. Far-right thugs on the prowl," another user commented.

Banksy's last mural showed the leaves of a tree painted on a wall behind a heavily pruned tree to mimic its foliage. Many suggest it is depicting the need to preserve nature. He also depicted three drones on a stop sign in Peckham previously, which was stolen.

(With inputs from agencies)