Because Florida wasn’t already wild enough, the town of Orange City now has roaming monkeys. Yes, actual monkeys—swinging, climbing, and apparently thriving in suburban chaos. Police in this delightful slice of Floridian paradise are politely advising residents to steer clear of the simian visitors and resist the urge to turn their backyards into an impromptu Planet of the Apes.
On Monday, the Orange City Police Department shared photographic evidence of a monkey casually strolling along a fence, looking suspiciously like it was casing the joint. The department urged locals to refrain from feeding or approaching the monkeys. They also encouraged residents to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) if one is spotted. Because what else are you going to do when a monkey shows up uninvited?
And where did these monkeys come from, you ask? No one has a clue. Maybe they’re on a Florida vacation themselves—Disney for primates, anyone?
Adding to the monkey mayhem, reports of sightings have spilled over into neighboring communities like Deltona and DeBary because nothing says “Florida” like expanding monkey territory. The Orange City Police have been tight-lipped about updates, leaving the good people of Volusia County wondering if they’re living in a live-action Jungle Book.
This isn’t Orange City’s first monkey rodeo, either. They had a similar monkey escapade just last year. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s Alpha Genesis primate research facility recently lost 43 monkeys, and four are still unaccounted for. Coincidence? Maybe. Monkey conspiracy? Definitely.
And before you start planning a monkey meet-and-greet, keep in mind: these adorable fugitives are walking disease factories. According to the CDC, rhesus macaques (the monkey species roaming the streets) can carry herpes B, a potentially deadly disease. So, there should be no feeding, no petting, and definitely no selfies unless you want a side of biohazard with your Instagram likes.
Welcome to Florida: where even the monkeys are wild.
