Fugitive monkey attracts cult following on Facebook
A fugitive monkey which has spent more than a year on the run in Florida has attracted a cult following on Facebook.
The elusive primate, known as the “Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay, has been spotted swimming in pools and stealing fruit from backyards across three counties.
Now more than 27,000 fans are following the rhesus macaque’s adventures via its own “official” Facebook page.
“Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay is still swinging free through the trees of Tampa Bay and surrounding beaches, I love the beaches and all of the “scenery”.. And to the fools who are continuing to try and catch me.. I pity them..,” writes the monkey in one update.
On St. Patrick’s Day it wrote: “Happy St. Patrick’s Day humans…. I will be at O’Keefe’s in Clearwater swinging through that massive tree just out side the tent.. but shhhh, don’t tell Vernon.. I will be wearing my “KISS ME I’M an Irish Primate” button.. see you at the tree…. zoom-zoom!!”
Wildlife experts are unsure where the monkey came from. They say he could have made his way to Florida after becoming separated from a group of wild monkeys in a nearby state park. Or it could be an escaped pet which hasn’t been reported because its owner doesn’t have a permit.
Wildlife trapper Vernon Yates told The Associated Press the monkey was extremely intelligent and “very, very streetwise”.
“He knows to check traffic. He knows to look both ways so he doesn’t get hit by cars. He knows to stay out of power lines,” said Yates.