Monkeys have been spotted roaming in unusual places in Central Florida recently — and police are warning residents to stay away.
Orange City Police Department said on social media She had received “numerous reports of monkey sightings” in the city, which is in Volusia County. The department said people who see the monkeys should not feed them or approach them, but should contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
A viral video of a river near Orange City, taken by a river tour operator, shows a monkey wandering along the edge of a forest.
“I looked at a tree and said, 'What is this!?'” Colin Innes, of St. Johns River Eco Tours told CBS affiliate WKMG“I got a little closer and realized there was a monkey probably about 30 feet away from me. And believe me, this is not something you see regularly around here, so I was shocked.”
Meanwhile, the principal of a Volusia County elementary school had to warn parents about a monkey after seeing it running around in the school's drop-off area on Wednesday. According to WKMG,
A woman in the area told WKMG she saw a monkey climbing her fence. At first he thought the animal was a cat, but then he realized how big it was.
“I have three cats and so I looked at her body and said, 'Wow, this is really big,'” said Evelyn Coera Arquette. “I mean, we're probably talking about four feet tall.”
Officials have not commented on what species of monkey is being observed. WKMG said officials have not confirmed whether residents are seeing multiple monkeys or whether they are seeing the same primate in multiple locations.
Police have asked residents not to feed the monkeys, which is prohibited by a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rule passed in 2017. The monkeys are more likely to return to an area and can become aggressive if they are fed by people, WKMG reports.
Residents should also take care to dispose of uneaten food and garbage in closed bins so that monkeys cannot access them. Any sightings should be reported, and if a monkey is spotted in the area, children should be kept close and pets must be leashed. If bitten or scratched by a wild monkey, seek medical attention immediately.
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