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A Pokemon statue sits in a New Orleans park. Amid the craze over virtual characters in the smartphone-based 'Pokemon Go' game, a Pokemon that people can touch in the physical world has mysteriously appeared in New Orleans. Image Credit: AP

Amid the craze over virtual characters in the smartphone-based Pokemon Go game, a Pokemon that people can see with their own eyes is grabbing attention in New Orleans.

Someone put up a statue of the iconic Pokemon, Pikachu, at the centre of a broken fountain in a park over the weekend. Pictures show the Pikachu with his arms folded standing on a cement base with a Pokeball on the side. The inscription “#POKEMONUMENT” is also written in the cement.

Pokemon fans have posted selfies with the statue on social media. One picture shows someone in a Pikachu costume posing with it.

New Orleans police tell ABC News they have no plans to move the statue.

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A stuffed Pikachu suit surround by children during a Pokemon festival in Tokyo, Monday, July 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) Image Credit: AP
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