Clermont and Groveland, Florida residents have recently reported sightings of monkeys roaming their neighborhoods. According to Fox 35, Aime Krug, a resident of Clermont, saw one of the animals on the roof of a house on Tuesday, causing her to do a double take. She stated that having lived in India, monkeys do not frighten her, but their presence in her Florida neighborhood was unexpected.
The video footage taken by Aime Krug has been circulating on social media, showing the monkey casually walking on the roof of a yellow house. The same monkey was previously spotted in Groveland on Friday, confirming that it is indeed the same primate. A primate expert identified the monkey as a rhesus macaque, a species of Old World monkey. According to the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension, these monkeys were introduced to the Silver Springs State Park area in the 1930s.
It has long been believed that the monkeys were released during the production of the 1939 film, Tarzan Finds a Son, but according to the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension, this is not the case. The manager of the glass bottom boat operation at Silver Springs State Park, Colonel Tooey, is reported to have released six rhesus macaques on an island in the Silver River in the 1930s. However, not knowing that these monkeys were proficient swimmers, they quickly swam to the surrounding forests, where their numbers began to increase. In an effort to increase the population, Colonel Tooey purchased six more monkeys and released them in 1948.
Possible wild monkeys seen walking around Florida neighborhood https://t.co/yenznMSAVn
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@FOX13News) May 2, 2024
In several instances, the monkeys have been spotted running on sidewalks and jumping from tree to tree. As a precaution, law enforcement in Clermont has warned residents to keep their distance from the animals, as they are wild and can be dangerous. According to a witness who spoke with Fox 35, he saw the monkey while picking up his daughter from school and initially mistook it for a cat.
The sightings of monkeys in Florida have caused a stir on social media, with many residents expressing their surprise and concern. Some have expressed their shock at never knowing about the presence of monkeys in their state, with one person commenting, “Lived here all my life, never knew. This is bananas.” Another person made a reference to the presence of pythons in Florida, stating, “Python food.”
The recent sightings of monkeys in Florida are not isolated incidents. In 2022, a video recorded by a man from Ocala, Florida shows monkeys diving into the water at Silver Springs State Park, causing “war-like” sounds and movements in the surrounding area, according to the man who recorded it. This further confirms the presence of a thriving population of rhesus macaques in the area.
Authorities in Clermont have confirmed receiving reports from witnesses in both Clermont and Groveland who have seen the monkeys. However, it is unclear how many monkeys are currently roaming the neighborhoods or where they came from.
Furthermore, the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension reports that the monkeys have been used to entertain tourists in the area since the 1930s, with boat operators using food to lure the monkeys to the shore for visitors. This practice may have contributed to the monkeys’ increased population and their adaptation to living among humans.
While the presence of monkeys in Florida may seem exotic and exciting, it is important to remember that they are wild animals and should be treated with caution. As they are not native to the area, there is a risk of potential conflicts with humans and other animals. Residents are advised to keep a safe distance from the monkeys and avoid feeding them in an effort to prevent any negative interactions.
