MARION COUNTY, Fla. – When it comes to Florida’s wildlife, the first animals that come to mind are usually alligators, sharks or manatees.
However, monkeys are also a staple within Central Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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These monkeys — called “rhesus macaques” — were originally brought to Florida by the manager of a glass-bottom boat operation, who released six on an island in the Silver River to attract tourists.
However, the monkeys swam away from the island into the surrounding forest, breeding and increasing their numbers over the years.
While the population of monkeys in the Silver Springs State Park has reached as high as 400 at some points, trapping and removal efforts have kept them from getting out of hand. As of 2015, the FWC reported that there were around 190 inside the park.
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Nowadays, these monkeys can be found throughout the state, though the FWC says that these sightings likely stem from the group of monkeys at Silver Springs.
Aside from environmental concerns, these monkeys pose a threat to public health, as rhesus macaques in Florida have tested positive for herpes B.
The CDC states that this viral infection is extremely rare, but it can lead to severe brain damage or even death. The virus can be transmitted by these monkeys through bites, scratches or contact with bodily fluids.
In addition, these monkeys may become aggressive when fed by people, so the FWC passed a rule in 2018 prohibiting locals from feeding any wild monkeys in the state.
According to the FWC’s rhesus monkey tracker, the following counties have had credible sightings of these monkeys outside of the core population:
| County | Number of Sightings | Last Sighting Date | Last Sighting Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County | 96 (1 found dead) | May 21, 2024 | Silver Springs (Near NE 60th Court) |
| Lake County | 25 | Aug. 3, 2024 | Tavares (Near Lake Diane Road) |
| Seminole County | 24 (1 captured) | July 24, 2024 | Sanford (Near Narcissus Ave.) |
| Franklin County | 22 | Feb. 26, 2016 | Eastpoint (Near Avenue A) |
| Orange County | 19 | Oct. 30, 2018 | Zellwood (Near Zellwood Elementary School) |
| Pinellas County | 10 | Nov. 16, 2016 | St. Petersburg |
| Pasco County | 8 (1 captured) | Oct. 29, 2016 | New Port Richey (Near Tennessee Ave.) |
| St. Johns | 8 | March 27, 2020 | Saint Johns (Near Elmwood Drive) |
| Alachua County | 7 | Aug. 3, 2024 | Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area |
| Putnam County | 6 | Sept. 8, 2023 | Ocala National Forest |
| Wakulla County | 6 | Nov. 8, 2016 | Crawfordville (Near Mill Creek Road) |
| Volusia County | 4 | Feb. 4, 2019 | Samsula-Spruce Creek (Near Sapp Road) |
| Sumter County | 4 | Dec. 19, 2023 | Along the Withlacoochee River |
| Citrus County | 3 | Aug. 14, 2018 | Hernando (Near E. Stokes Ferry Road) |
| Polk County | 3 | Oct. 8, 2019 | South of Lake Livingston |
| Hernando County | 2 | Dec. 20, 2022 | Brooksville (Near Twingate Ave.) |
| Flagler County | 1 | Nov. 20, 2011 | Palm Coast (Near Colorado Drive) |
| Gilchrist County | 1 | March 6, 2014 | Northeast of Shirley Lake |
| Osceola County | 1 | Sept. 28, 2011 | St. Cloud (Near Wisconsin Ave.) |
| Sarasota County | 1 | July 3, 2017 | Sarasota (Near Hand Road) |
In Central Florida alone, Marion, Seminole and Lake counties saw a marked increase in rhesus macaque sightings over the past two years, the data shows. Just last year, there were six reported sightings out of Lake County alone, many of which were in and around Clermont.
The FWC provides these tips for rhesus macaque encounters:
- Never approach or offer food to wild monkeys
- If a monkey is encountered, keep children close and pets leashed
- Dispose of uneaten food and garbage in closed trash containers
- If bitten or scratched by a wild monkey, immediately wash the wound and seek medical attention. Call the National B Virus Resource Center for emergency information at (404) 413-6550.
- If you observe a wild monkey that poses a threat to people, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922
- Any rhesus macaque observations seen outside of the core population near Silver Springs should be reported by calling the Exotic Species Hotline at (888) 483-4681 or by clicking here
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