Lorax statue stolen from La Jolla estate of Dr. Seuss

San Diego police are investigating the apparent theft of a 300-pound bronze statue of the Lorax -- a character from a Dr. Seuss book that is now a movie -- from the La Jolla estate of the late Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss.

The statue, 3 feet in height along with a stump serving a base, was stolen between March 24 and 26. The thief or thieves apparently rolled the statue and stump down a hill and into a getaway vehicle, according to the San Diego police.

Geisel's widow, Audrey, lives at the estate. The theft was discovered by the property manager. Value of the statue, which was created by Geisel's stepdaughter, is listed at $10,000.

On the stump is the word "Unless." The Lorax is a creature that "speaks for the trees," warning that "unless" more trees are planted, they will disappear from the Earth.

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Photo: The Lorax statue. Credit: San Diego Police Department