Giant wooden troll statue made by artist who created Alabama’s ‘Mama Zelda’ burns to the ground

A somber morning in Texas has left fans of public art reeling. One of artist Thomas Dambo’s iconic, larger-than-life wooden troll statues was reduced to ash in a Thursday morning blaze.

A Beloved Landmark Lost

The 18-foot structure, known as Malin, was a central attraction at Pease Park in Austin. According to a report from the Statesman, the Austin Fire Department received the emergency call shortly before 5:30 a.m. Although emergency crews arrived on the scene within five minutes, the wooden statue could not be saved. An arson investigation team is currently reviewing the site, while the Pease Park Conservancy expressed profound sadness over the loss of the community favorite.

The Alabama Connection

Dambo’s reach extends across the country, including here in our own backyard. In 2025, the Huntsville Botanical Garden unveiled its own permanent resident: a 20-foot-tall troll named Mama Zelda. This massive installation serves as the centerpiece for a unique living maze that has captivated local visitors since its debut, as detailed in our earlier coverage of the giant wooden troll and living maze arrival in Alabama.

For those looking to visit the Huntsville exhibit, you can find information on admission and hours at the official Huntsville Botanical Garden website.

A Global Legacy

Thomas Dambo has become world-renowned for his whimsical woodland giants, having erected more than 170 trolls to date. His work has previously faced trials; his first creation, “Hector the Protector,” was installed in Puerto Rico in 2014 before being destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017. That piece was eventually rebuilt, showcasing the resilience of Dambo’s artistic footprint despite the challenges his installations sometimes face.