A graffitied cartoon bird at the centre of a nine-hour police stand-off should be preserved rather than removed, according to an online petition with more than 4000 signatures.

Jack Gibson-Burrell was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly scaling and spray-painting Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge with a giant cartoon bird, sparking a long police stand-off and traffic chaos.

Almost nine hours after the stand-off began, Gibson-Burrell surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody just before midday.

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A GetUp petition calling for authorities to keep the Pam the Bird painting on the side of the bridge had already gathered 4320 signatures on Thursday morning.

“While graffiti is often associated with vandalism, every now and then something appears that transcends a simple spray can on concrete,” organiser Eric Giodmaina said.

“Pam the Bird has quickly become one of those rare pieces.

“In just a short time, she’s become a talking point, a landmark, a social media favourite, and a reminder that Melbourne’s personality isn’t built solely by architects and politicians — it’s also shaped by the creativity, humour and spontaneity of its people.”

More than 4000 people have signed a petition calling for a cartoon bird graffitied on the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne to be preserved and not removed. Credit: Joel Carrett/AAP

The petition then compares Pam the Bird to other quirky Australian icons such as the giant banana, giant prawn or an unexpected local icon.

“This petition isn’t about encouraging illegal graffiti or suggesting every tag deserves protection. Quite the opposite,” Giodmaina said.

“It’s about recognising that, on very rare occasions, something captures the public imagination in a positive way.

“When that happens, perhaps the best response isn’t to immediately paint over it, but to acknowledge that public art sometimes appears in unexpected ways.”

Gibson-Burrell was charged with 13 offences over Tuesday’s stunt including burglary, criminal damage, conduct endangering life and conduct endangering serious injury.

The petition says the bird has become a ‘landmark’ of Melbourne after it was spray-painted on buildings across the city. Credit: Diego Fedele/AAP

The alleged serial vandal has previously been charged with 209 offences over Pam the Bird graffiti, including reckless conduct endangering life or serious injury, criminal damage, theft and aggravated burglary.

He is accused of causing about $700,000 in damages, including to heritage-listed Victorian landmarks where he allegedly sprayed the tag.

This includes allegations he trespassed into Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station in July 2024 and abseiled up its famous clock tower to paint the bird on it.

Since his arrest, a company called Bad Apples has started selling “Free Pam” T-shirts and hoodies.

Gibson-Burrell will next appear in court on September 29 for a committal mention.