'Cha Cha' the Chimp Leads Police on Merry Dance After Dramatic Escape

— -- A chimpanzee named Cha Cha escaped from a zoo in Sendai, Japan, and led police and zoo staff on a dramatic two-hour chase through a residential neighborhood, according to NHK, Japan's largest broadcaster.

After the primate escaped from Yagiyama Zoological Park, he climbed a telephone pole and ran along the wire before he was finally shot with a tranquilizer gun, NHK reported.

Toshikatsu Ouchi, director of Yagiyama Zoological Park, apologized profusely for the inconvenience caused to local residents in a press conference.

An investigation has been launched by zoo officials, according to reports.