TL : DR A tiny population of monkeys were brought to Silver Springs State Park in Florida in the 1930s, and confined to an island. But the monkeys left the island. The guy who brought them in the 1930s did so as a tourist attraction for the tour boat service he provided. He did not know the monkeys could swim. Their numbers are reported to reach 400 by 2020. They carry a Herpes virus that is deadly to humans. Have been seen in a Jacksonville neighborhood. -- Florida's herpes-infected monkey population is booming and it could have fatal consequences https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/...-booming-and-it-could-have-fatal-consequences Wild monkeys with herpes in Central Florida: Population on the verge of doubling https://www.wftv.com/news/local/wil...opulation-on-the-verge-of-doubling/898061214/ The monkeys carry a herpes virus that is deadly to humans and can be spread through a bite or scratch. Where Did Florida's Herpes Monkeys Come From? Infected Rhesus Macaques Pose Fatal Threat to Humans https://www.newsweek.com/florida-herpes-monkeys-infected-rhesus-macaques-fatal-threat-humans-1485291
Lol appreciate the concern but South Florida might as well be a separate state. We refer to Northern Florida as Southern Alabama
I saw a pack (troop? I forget) of these monkeys when I was backpacking through the Ocala National Forest. Scared the shit out of me.
Aside from the herpes part I think its freaking awesome that Florida is turning into a damn jungle. Exotic snakes, Moneys, already has alligators, already has pumas... So cool
There's a place called Morgan Island off of South Carolina with a wild troop as well. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/morgan-island