In scenes reminiscent of the King Kong movies of yesteryear, a giant ape slowly wound its way through Alice Holt Forest on Thursday.
But do not fear. He was bound tightly and safely secured on the back of a low-loader. And he was actually a carved statue – a wooden monster creating a stir among visitors, not to mention the forest’s regular wildlife.
Alice Holt’s ape joins other wooden sculptures in the woodland including a new Gruffalo, Mouse and Gruffalo’s Child (Steve Usher)
The ape is the new wooden centrepiece for the Go Ape headquarters by the forest car park and provides a ‘Kodak’ moment for those climbing through the branches and zipping along the wires making up the popular attraction.
The forest is just outside Farnham and offers cycling, angling and many other alternative activities to ape-spotting. Visit https://www.forestryengland.uk/alice-holt-forest