Chimps learn to look both ways before crossing road

You're unlikely to find chimpanzee road kill in a game of eye spy. These clever jungle creatures have adapted to their urbanised environment and have learned to cross roads with caution, much like humans.  

Researchers in Uganda have spent the last few years watching groups of wild chimps crossing a busy road in Kibale National Park. They observed 122 chimps cross the highway used by 90 high-speed vehicles an hour and found that the animals exercised caution while making the treacherous expedition.

According to a report by New Scientist, "92 per cent of them looked right, left, or both ways before or during crossing, and 57 per cent ran across – showing that they knew the value of reaching the other side as quickly as possible."

The study found that the chimps worked as a team, led by alpha males who showed concern for their entire group and would stop and look back when at vulnerable individuals, such as infant or injured chimps, trailed behind.

According to the research team, learning more about the movement of local animals is vital when it comes to building new roads.

"Road infrastructure is spreading throughout Africa to support regional development, industry and tourism, and studying chimpanzee adaptation facing roads represents a way to reduce the risk of collisions," researcher Marie Cibot told New Scientist.

Chimpanzees and humans differ by just over one percent of DNA, making them our last common ancestors , so it makes sense that they would adopt human-like characteristics when it comes to safety.

Sadly, the same can't be said for the hundreds of other species we find lying by the side of our roads.