In north St. Louis, officials are searching for several vervet monkeys that were seen loose in the city. Neighbors first spotted the animals near O’Fallon Park, according to KSDK. Justen Hauser, Chief of the St. Louis Department of Health’s Environmental Health Bureau, told KSDK that this is the first known incident involving monkeys at large in the city.
The monkeys have been identified by the St. Louis Zoo as vervet monkeys, which have gray-green fur and black faces. First Alert 4 reported that exotic animals are prohibited within city limits, and officials are uncertain of how the monkeys arrived in the area. Animal Control officers have been deployed to monitor the situation, and the public is advised not to approach the animals due to their potential for aggression and unpredictable behavior.
North St. Louis residents have raised safety concerns following the sightings of the monkeys. Anyone who spots the animals should contact Animal Control immediately at 314-657-1500.
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