Monkey sighted in Orange Park
Monkey sighted in Orange Park
ORANGE PARK, FL - A primate has been sighted several times in an Orange Park subdivision, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking for the public’s help to locate the animal.
The monkey, believed to be a Japanese macaque, has been seen in the Eagle Landing subdivision on Castle Oaks Court. FWC investigators received information and photos of the animal recently and have been looking for that animal for several days. There’s no idea where the monkey could have come from, no permit has been issued to anyone in the area to keep a captive Japanese macaque.
"We have tentatively identified it as a Japanese or snow macaque, and we need the public’s assistance," said Lt. David Lee, FWC investigator. "If anyone sees this monkey, please call our toll-free Wildlife Alert number at 1-888-404-3922 and report the sighting. Please, do not attempt to capture or trap this animal yourself. We also ask that no one attempts to feed it. The monkey has large canine teeth and can inflict a painful bite."
"We are borrowing a trap from the Jacksonville Humane Society and will place it in the wooded area away from residences," Lee said. "We are also installing a trail camera to attempt to get photos of the primate. We are also working with the Jacksonville Zoo on the capture of the animal."
Back in November 2007 FWC officials were investigating several reports from Baker County about an ape-like creature.
While local animal control officials speculated that the animal seen a few times over a three week period was an orangutan, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigators were not so sure. However, they did set up a trap baited with apples and bananas to no avail.
