A beloved gorilla statue in a Texas park has been removed by officials after some complained that it was 'racially insensitive'.

The caged statue had been a center piece at the park in Corsicana, south of Dallas, for two decades before it was taken away on Monday.

Corsicana Mayor Don Denbow had the 500-pound gorilla removed after receiving about 45 complaints.

A beloved gorilla statue in a park in Corsicana, Texas was removed by officials on Monday after some complained that it was 'racially insensitive'

The removal of the statue prompted immediate backlash on social media and outraged residents started a makeshift memorial for the gorilla at the empty cage

'It was determined to be potentially racially insensitive,' the mayor said when he announced the decision.

'This was brought to our attention by a few citizens. The circumstances were evaluated and determined to be valid.'

The removal of the statue prompted immediate backlash on social media and outraged residents started a makeshift memorial for the gorilla at the empty cage.

One man even sat on top of the cage on Wednesday and refused to move until the gorilla was returned, according to KXXV.

The gorilla was removed on Monday from the park where it had been for 19 years. It is pictured above being driven away

The removal of the statue prompted immediate backlash with outraged residents starting a makeshift memorial for the gorilla at the empty cage

Residents left balloons and notes of support for the gorilla. They even planned to hold a candlelight vigil in memory of him

The mayor and city officials folded to pressure from outraged residents late Wednesday saying the gorilla would be returned to its place in the park

Residents had also planned to hold a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night in honor of the gorilla.

The mayor and city officials folded to pressure late on Wednesday following the widespread backlash and protests.

Corsicana city council member Jeff Smith posted to Facebook that the city will return the gorilla statue to his cage as soon as weather permits.

The gorilla, which was caged because it wasn't reinforced and could topple over if children climbed on it, was part of a bigger display of zoo animals in the park.