Thieves make off with giant Australian mango | Inquirer News

Thieves make off with giant Australian mango

/ 01:11 PM February 24, 2014

SYDNEY – Thieves armed with heavy machinery and cranes made a daring midnight heist in northern Australia, stealing a 10-meter, seven-ton mango monument, officials said Monday.

The Big Mango, a towering likeness of the fruit which is abundant in the statue’s hometown of Bowen, in Queensland, is one of more than 150 “Big Things” erected as kitschy tourist attractions across Australia.

The famous fruit, which was unveiled in 2002, appeared to have been harvested overnight in an ambitious raid, said Bowen Tourism chairman Paul McLaughlin.

Article continues after this advertisement

“It looks like it was sort of two o’clock this morning-type thing. There was … some heavy equipment and it looks like they’ve taken the mango,” McLaughlin told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

FEATURED STORIES

He said he thought it was a joke when he was first informed of the mango’s abduction but “I’ve come out and sure enough the mango has disappeared”.

McLaughlin said there was surveillance camera footage of the heist and he was sure the plundered fruit would be found.

Article continues after this advertisement

“At the end of the day it’s a bloody big mango and I’m sure someone will see it and we’ll find it anyway,” he told the Brisbane Times.

Article continues after this advertisement

“I think it’ll definitely turn up, no doubt about that. We’re not sure what has happened but I’m sure we’ll get it back.”

Article continues after this advertisement

There are giant fruits all over Australia, including the Big Banana, the Big Pineapple, the Big Strawberry and multiple Big Apples and Oranges.

There are also giant fishes, a lobster, penguin, kangaroo, koalas, and even a giant cask of wine.

Article continues after this advertisement

Bowen is known as the mango production capital of Australia.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Australia, Big Mango, theft

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.