A free outdoor exhibition of nine sculptures of endangered animals has been installed across Spinningfields in Manchester city centre, in time for October half term. It stays until October 2027.

A Wild Life For Wildlife is the work of the artists Gillie and Marc. The Manchester Evening News lists a giant tortoise, an African elephant, a hippo, a tiger, an Eastern lowland gorilla, a baby Javan rhino and a mother gorilla among the pieces, several of them paired with the artists' Rabbitwoman and Dogman characters.

According to the MEN, the sculptures are on Hardman Street and Deansgate, The Avenue, Crown Square, Hardman Square, Hardman Boulevard, Hardman Gardens, Gartside Street and the corner of Quay Street and Gartside Street.

Visitors are invited to interact with the sculptures, from taking a seat with a hungry hippo to joining a rabbit for a cup of tea, the MEN reported. Gillie and Marc say each work has a QR code that links to information about the animal's life, needs and the threats it faces. The trail is part of the artists' wider ‘Love The Last’ project, which aims to raise awareness and funds for endangered animals.

Nearby, Spinningfields and St John's are hosting Luke Jerram's Museum of the Moon at Campfield Studios on Liverpool Road for three weeks from 22 October. The seven-metre illuminated artwork uses detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. The MEN reports that entry is free with timed tickets between 4pm and 10pm on selected dates (23, 25, 26, 27 and 31 October, and 4 and 8 November), booked through Eventbrite.

The BBC has also included the sculpture trail in its guide to free half-term activities in the North West.

Sources: Manchester Evening News, 20 October 2026; About Manchester, 6 October 2026; Gillie and Marc, exhibition page; BBC News, free half-term activities in the North West. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked by an editor against the sources above.