(CNN) — Leave it to a Florida destination to come up with one of the weirdest — and most joyous ways — to help people keep their social distance.
The folks at Gatorland have introduced Skunk Ape. And this mascot’s aim is to help the animal park’s visitors get a little kick out of maintaining social distancing.
The park, which reopened on Saturday in Orange County, has a video on YouTube introducing Social Distancing Skunk Ape (his full, proper name).
And they explain some of their coronavirus measures in one of the most imaginative safety efforts that CNN Travel has run across during the pandemic.
The video actually opens with a vivacious, pig-tailed, hat-wearin’ spokeswoman who says the park’s goal is “fun and safety.”
She then makes enthusiastic use of a hand sanitizer station, calling it “hanitizer,” and points out a safety sign “that says a bunch of stuff.”
Next, she awkwardly but endearingly introduces the “king of keeping away from each other, the Social Distancing Skunk Ape.”
At this point, the camera pans to what appears to be Bigfoot type creature lurking in dense Florida foliage. Skunk Ape then disappears in the greenery, only to emerge later breaking up two men who walking too closely together. The move is something The Three Stooges could appreciate.
The spokeswoman’s comment on the melee: “He’s insistent that you stay distant!” And that’s just the beginning of her rhyming reminders.
The video even features a notable toilet flush and an appearance by Skunk Ape and the spokeswoman in a men’s restroom.
Like we said, very Florida!
Mark McHugh, president and CEO of Gatorland, told CNN Travel in an email interview how Skunk Ape came to be.
“We developed a Skunk Ape character and costume for our Halloween program last year. A local morning radio show personality, Carlos Navarro, with Real Radio 104.1, was talking about everything we were doing at Gatorland for safety, and suggested we use a Social Distancing Skunk Ape.
“My social media director, Savannah Boan, and I looked at each other with wide eyes and said, ‘THAT’S IT!’ We began immediately developing a campaign around this hairy fella.”
Gatorland plans to keep Skunk Ape around.... (Read more)
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