University of York’s Long Boi Statue Vandalized Weeks After Unveiling

A statue commemorating a duck that achieved campus celebrity status at a university has been vandalized mere weeks following its unveiling. Radio 1 host Greg James attended the University of York in September, participating in a ceremony held to honor Long Boi. The 28″ (70cm) Indian runner/mallard cross is presumed to have passed away after disappearing from its campus habitat in 2022. The university acknowledged that the statue sustained “some damage,” and Kaitlyn Beattie-Zarb, a student union activities officer, described the incident as “disheartening.” An investigation into the incident has since been initiated by the university. Ms. Beattie-Zarb further stated: “We’re incredibly disappointed this has happened as it was such a community effort to raise money and get the statue created in the first place.“We have loved seeing students appreciating the statue but now they can’t as it has been damaged.“It is just disheartening to see it damaged in a mean-spirited way.” Students present on campus also conveyed to BBC Radio York that the event was an “outrage” and “ridiculous that the statue could get damaged.” A spokesperson for the University of York informed the BBC that the statue has been taken off its plinth for the purpose of assessing the “damage.” The spokesperson stated: “We are aware of some damage to the Long Boi statue.“The sculpture is a much-loved piece of artwork that brings joy and a sense of unity to the whole community here at the University of York.“The statue has now been removed for safety reasons while the damage is assessed.” The university had previously communicated via an Instagram post on Friday that “his welfare, and the safety of those visiting him is paramount, so making him secure is our priority.” The Instagram post read: “We’ve taken steps to cordon him off for now as we assess the damage, and we’ll be doing all we can to fix him up as soon as possible.” Long Boi resided on the premises of the University of York from 2018 to 2022. The University of York Students’ Union reported that a statue of Long Boi received approval following the collection of over £5,300 in funds. At the unveiling event, hundreds of attendees observed a “minute’s quacking,” and The Sing Song Society, a York student choir, performed a Long Boi-themed rendition of Chappell Roan’s song, Hot to Go. During their performance, James distributed miniature toy ducks among the audience.