Florida Has A Big Monkey Problem

Author Rich Fields

February 5th, 2020 12:03 AM

First it was pythons, then it was iguanas… now it’s monkeys!

The state of Florida is quickly becoming the hot-spot for unwanted tropical wildlife. The latest problem comes from feral, herpes-infected monkeys that freely roam the northeast coast of Florida.

According to First Coast News, state regulators confirm a dozen sightings of Rhesus Macaque monkeys over the past eight months.

The Jacksonville ABC/NBC affiliate also reports that the most recent sightings of the Rhesus monkeys have been in the neighborhood of Julington Creek in Jacksonville. Yes, Jacksonville! Surprising to some because Jacksonville can get very cold for the state of Florida. Jacksonville can even experience freezing temperatures at times. Can these monkeys survive that kind of cold? As a matter of fact, yes! A relative of the Rhesus Macaque is another Macaque known as the Japanese Snow Monkey. So, monkeys ARE adaptable to frigid temps.

Take a look at this Youtube video from Jacksonville’s First Coast News…

University of Florida wildlife ecologist Dr. Steve Johnson is quoted as saying, “The potential ramifications are really dire. A big male like the one in that video in Jacksonville – that’s an extremely strong, potentially dangerous animal”.

It turns out that Rhesus monkeys were brought to Silver Springs State Park in the late 1930’s when a tour boat operator released six of them onto a manmade island as an airboat tourist attraction.

Believe it or not… there have also been sightings right here in Tampa. Not good. Herpes infected monkeys is NOT one of the charming things about nature. State officials need a plan to deal with the infected monkeys and their spread throughout Florida.

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Growing up, I had a Spider Monkey as a pet. His name was Chi-Chi and we had him for nearly a decade. So, I’ve always been a fan of monkeys. How about you?

Take a look at these other cute faces below. Don’t miss the very last picture… it’s an adorable baby gorilla.

• London Zoo

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  This is a spider monkey, just like my pet Chi-Chi. This spider monkey holds zoo keeper Kate Sanders' pen. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

• Spider Monkey

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  (Photo by Dean Purcell/Getty Images)

• Press Conference For The Film “Frida Kahlo”

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  Salma Hayek holds "Tyson" the spider monkey at a press conference about the movie "Frida Kahlo" (Photo by Susana Gonzalez/ Newsmakes)
• Monkey in New York

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  Cookie, the controversial monkey owned by the Flikshteins, sucks on a lollipop July 22, 2000 in her family''s Manhattan Beach yard in Brooklyn, New York. The Flikshtein family have had Cookie for five years and consider her a member of their family. But Cookie is an endangered Ceropithecus diana monkey, illegal to own as a pet, and thus could be taken away soon to an animal rescue center at the Detroit Zoo. The Flikshteins, however, have vowed to never give up Cookie. "She would die without us," says Roman Flikshtein''s wife Inna. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Newsmakers)

• MONKEY IN NEW YORK

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  Roman Flikshtein holds his pet monkey Cookie at his Manhattan Beach home in New York. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Newsmakers)

• Animals Celebrate Christmas At Taronga Zoo

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  Two infant Chimpanzees play at Taronga Zoo on in Sydney, Australia. Taronga's animals were given special Christmas-themed enrichment treats and puzzles designed to challenge and encourage their natural skills. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
• Chimpanzee’s At Taronga Zoo Escape Sydney Heat

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  Fumo, a baby chimpanzee enjoys an icy treat at Taronga Zoo with other chimpanzees in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

• Animals Celebrate Christmas At Taronga Zoo

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  A Chimpanzee plays at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

• Animals Celebrate Christmas At Taronga Zoo

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  An infant Chimpanzee plays at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
• Animals Celebrate Christmas At Taronga Zoo

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  An infant Chimpanzee plays at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Taronga's animals were given special Christmas-themed enrichment treats and puzzles designed to challenge and encourage their natural skills. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

• Animals At Guangzhou Xiangjiang Safari Park

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  A ten-month-old chimpanzee looks out of its chamber at Guangzhou Xiangjiang Safari Park in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

• Rehabilitating Chimpanzees – A Labour Of Love

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  A volunteer holds ten month old Soumba, at the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre, (CCC) in Somoria, Guinea. Soumba was recently rescued from traffickers by authorities and is the 50th baby Chimpanzee to arrive at the CCC. For the first three months he is cared for 24 hours a day by a volunteer quarantined away from other chimpanzees and staff. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
• Animals Stay Cool At Chongqing Safari Park

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  A chimpanzee eats a piece of apple at the Chongqing Safari Park in Chongqing Municipality, China. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

• Rehabilitating Chimpanzees – A Labour Of Love

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  A portrait of of Missy at the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre (CCC) in Somoria, Guinea. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

• Rehabilitating Chimpanzees – A Labour Of Love

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  Missy (L) and Hawa groom each other during a daily bushwalks at the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre (CCC) in Somoria, Guinea. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
• Rehabilitating Chimpanzees – A Labour Of Love

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  A French volunteer holds ten month old Soumba, at the Chimpanzee Conservation Centre, (CCC) on November 27, 2015 in Somoria, Guinea. Soumba was recently rescued from traffickers by authorities and is the 50th baby Chimpanzee to arrive at the CCC. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

• Six-Month-Old Baby Gorilla Makes Public Debut At San Francisco Zoo

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  Hasani, a six month-old Western Lowland Gorilla, yawns as he plays in the gorilla exhibit during his first public viewing at the San Francisco Zoo in Francisco, California. Hasani, who was born on December 8, 2008, has been hand-raised by zoo staff after being rejected by his mother at birth. A surrogate gorilla mother was trained to care for Hasani and has accepted the newborn. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Author Rich Fields

Category:

• Q105

Tags:

Florida,Jacksonville,Monkeys,Tampa