![The video shows a grinder being used to down the statue in Fitzroy Gardens. Pictures via X/@akaWACA The video shows a grinder being used to down the statue in Fitzroy Gardens. Pictures via X/@akaWACA](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/206436302/d575826d-5c9e-44f3-9bcd-3f05682fbbe6.png/r0_61_1092_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Vandals have filmed the toppling of another Captain Cook statue in Melbourne.
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Police are investigating after the statue at the historical Cooks' Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens was sawn off shortly before 4am on February 26.
A video shared on social media shows unknown offenders masked and dressed in all black using a grinder under torchlight to topple the statue.
Captions on the video celebrate the downing of a third Cook monument in Melbourne and asks "what can/will/are you doing to resist and dismantle colonial oppression?"
"The colony can, must, will fall," the caption said.
Cooks' Cottage was built by Captain Cook's parents in England and brought to Australia in 1934, and operates as an educational and tourist attraction.
The Melbourne City Council is assessing the damage to the statue and will consider if it can be repaired.
It comes after a statue of the British explorer was sawn off at the ankles on Australia Day eve in Melbourne's Jacka Boulevard, and graffitied with "the colony will fall".
Days later a monument to Cook in Edinburgh Gardens, also in Melbourne, was found broken and covered in graffiti.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said investigations into criminal damage to a statue in East Melbourne were under way.
"It is understood the statue was damaged, causing it to fall to the ground," the spokesperson said.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, with information or CCTV is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au