03 February 2024 , 14:27
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Confused drivers couldn't believe their eyes when they saw what was believed to be a "gorilla" directing traffic on the roads.
However it wasn't the real animal, with local dad Lee Chapman dressing up as a large ape to try and clear gridlocked roads and cheer up frustrated drivers in Watford, Hertfordshire. Road works in the area required temporary traffic lights to be set up in the area but drivers said it caused "havoc" on the roads.
To their surprise, angry motorists found a man in a full-body gorilla costume directing them around the lane closures. Temporary lights in town were said to be poorly synchronised which led to long queues backing up past a nearby junction during the works.
Although he's now revealed his identity as the mystery ape, the 55-year-old had initially asked to remain anonymous. Puzzled drivers were amused by the scenes, cheering Lee on and honking their horns.
Some even turned back to get a second view. One local who witnessed the bizarre scene said that it's "not every day you get a gorilla in Watford."
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Electrician Lee's wife, full-time carer Sally Chapman, said her husband had donned the gorilla suit to bring some cheer to the miserable drivers stuck in traffic. The 47-year-old said: "Lee put it on because the traffic was bad and everyone kept beeping at each other and getting angry.
Some even turned back to get a second view (Sally Chapman / SWNS)
Actual animals have been known to learn how to direct traffic in the past (Sally Chapman / SWNS)"So he thought he would make it a little more fun and put the gorilla outfit on - everyone loved it. Cars where honking their horns and people were turning around to come through the lights again to video him. People walking were taking videos and selfies with him... It definitely cheered up the day."
Actual animals have been known to learn how to direct traffic in the past. In 2017, an intelligent orangutan died in Atlanta Zoo. He was known for learning how to direct drivers, master sign language and even had a favourite takeaway order.
Professor Lyn Miles, who raised and taught him until he was eight years-old, says: “It was magical. Sometimes I felt like his servant, but I very much thought of Chantek as my foster son. I feel like I had the luckiest job in the world.”