Monkey hangs around at Mount Dora’s Gilbert Park
By Luana Munoz
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MOUNT DORA, Florida (WESH) — A large monkey – or monkeys – was spotted Thursday hanging out in Mount Dora’s Gilbert Park.
The photos of the monkey have been making the rounds on social media, leaving parents on high alert as they bring their kids out to play.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a monkey live or outside of a zoo. I think that alone is shocking and somewhat fearful,” said Kendrick Crockett.
WESH 2 did not spot the animals Friday, but monkey sightings across Central Florida are nothing new. A colony of Rhesus Macaques has called our area home since the 1930’s and they have become part of folklore.
WESH 2 News also received several photos from Lakeside Inn, which believes the same monkey visited their property earlier.
“I used to have a boat a few years ago. My wife and I would come through the canal from Lake East. Every once in a while, you would absolutely see them in the trees,” said Brock Stocksett.
While the monkeys are cute, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation says they are nothing to play with.
The monkeys are an invasive species and carry diseases that could spread to humans, including rabies and Herpes B.
Kids and parents say it may be cool to see one but are aware to keep their distance.
FWC says to never feed a wild monkey.
If you see one you can report it to IveGot1.org.
People can also report monkeys approaching people and acting aggressively to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
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