‘I Am the King of the Jungle’ Sculpture

Whereas Birmingham has the Iron Man, the Floozy in the Jacuzzi and the Tony Hancock Statue; West Bromwich has a sculpture entitled ‘I am the King of the Jungle’. This sculpure of a lion sat on a crown on the back of an elephant has sat outside Queen’s Square shopping centre since its unveiling in January 1990.
It’s un-​noticed and un-​loved and un-​cared for. It’s also not in a very prominent spot as though it’s placing hasn’t worked out or the council are ashamed of it. No offence to the lady who sculpted it, because it’s not a bad sculpture. However, what relevance a lion has to West Bromwich is a little lost on me and isn’t explained in the commemorative plaque on the base.
West Browmich High Street is currently undergoing quite a radical facelift according the plans so whether this little curio survives remains to be seen. It really will be no great loss if it does disappear. Hopefully the sculptor has gone on to bigger, better and more meaningful things in the ensuing two decades.