Residents in Orange City, Florida, have been warned by the local police department about monkey sightings in the area. Reports of the loose primates, believed to include rhesus macaques, have surfaced, though the number of monkeys remains unclear. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is leading efforts to locate the animals, whose origins are currently unknown.
Police have cautioned the public against feeding or approaching the monkeys, emphasizing that such behavior could lead to aggression. Colin Innes, a tour boat captain, was startled to spot one of the monkeys swinging through the trees along the St. Johns River. He described the sighting as completely unexpected in the region.
Authorities urge anyone who encounters a monkey to avoid interaction and report the sighting to the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922. Efforts continue to safely locate and manage the animals.
