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Monkeys spotted loose in St Louis neighborhood
Animal control officials in St Louis, Missouri, are searching for a group of vervet monkeys that have been roaming the city's streets since Thursday. Residents have been warned to avoid the animals, which experts say could become aggressive if stressed.
Unclear origins and numbers
The St Louis Health Department confirmed the primates were first reported on Thursday but could not determine how many are at large. Initial reports suggested four, though officials now say only that there is more than one.
"At this time, we do not know where these animals came from," said Justen Hauser, bureau chief of environmental health for the department. He added that owning exotic animals like primates is illegal in St Louis, leaving officials with no leads on potential owners.
Vervet monkeys identified
A primate expert from the St Louis Zoo identified the animals as vervet monkeys, a small species native to Africa. Known for their pale fur and black faces, vervets are described as highly intelligent and social but potentially dangerous when stressed.
The health department has urged residents not to approach or attempt to capture the monkeys, instead asking them to report sightings immediately.
Residents express concern
Sightings have centered around the O'Fallon Park neighborhood in northern St Louis, where residents say the monkeys have been seen perched on walls and near parked cars. Social media posts show the primates standing on two legs, sparking alarm among locals.
"I think of the danger, because that's a wild animal."
Marva Young, O'Fallon Park resident
Another resident called the situation "crazy," telling local news network KSDK they were unsettled by the animals' presence.
Search efforts underway
Animal control officers have patrolled the area but have yet to locate the monkeys. Hauser said officials are working to determine where the animals might be hiding or seeking food.
Once captured, the monkeys will be transported to a facility certified to care for exotic animals, the health department said.
Missouri's history with primate ownership
While St Louis prohibits owning primates, a 2024 report by St Louis Public Radio noted Missouri ranks high in primate ownership statewide, with an estimated 35 to 50 bought and sold annually.
The state is not the only place in the U.S. with wild vervet populations. A colony in Florida is believed to descend from escapees of a research facility near Fort Lauderdale in the 1940s.
