Unidentified monkeys have been spotted running loose in St. Louis, Missouri, according to city officials. The Department of Health has confirmed that multiple monkeys are on the loose around the vicinity of O'Fallon Park in North City. Initial reports suggested there were four animals, but the actual number remains unknown. The monkeys were spotted near O'Fallon Park in northern St. Louis. City officials are working with partner agencies to safely capture the animals and take them to a facility certified to care for exotic animals. At this time, the origin of the monkeys is unclear, but the St. Louis Zoo has identified them as vervet monkeys, native to sub-Saharan Africa and known to travel in groups called troops. This is the first time the city has dealt with a group of monkeys "at large," officials said. A troop of vervet monkeys that escaped from a breeding facility in the 1940s now roams the Dania Beach area of South Florida. The animals were brought to the state from Africa for use in biomedical research. Local residents are advised to avoid the creatures if encountered. "I think of danger because that's a wild animal. We have dogs, cats, and mice around here in this area, and now we have to worry about monkeys! I'm scared because I now have to keep my dog inside at certain times because I don't want him to get attacked," area resident Marva Young told KSDK. The Independent has contacted city officials for comment.
