Monkey business: Multiple primates on the loose in St. Louis park

Officials are searching for multiple vervet monkeys that have been on the loose in St. Louis for several days.

Missouri’s Department of Health confirmed that the primates are in or around O’Fallon Park.

Reports originally indicated that there were four monkeys, but the department has since said it “cannot confirm an actual number at this time, only that there is more than one.”

An expert from the St. Louis Zoo identified the primates as vervet monkeys, the department said.

It is not clear when the animals went missing or where they came from, but a Department of Health animal care and control officer was dispatched to the park Thursday to find the animals, without any luck. More officers patrolled the area on Friday and were also unable to find the monkeys.

Owning exotic animals in St. Louis is banned by city ordinance, and the department is not aware of any homes in the area with illegal monkeys.

The public is encouraged not to approach or try to capture the vervets, as they “may be unpredictable or aggressive under stress,” the department said.

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“We are working to get an idea of where they may be hiding or seeking food,” said Justen Hauser, St. Louis’ environmental health bureau chief. “We are engaging with partner agencies that are properly trained and equipped to safely capture these animals. Once captured, the monkeys will be transported to a facility certified to care for exotic animals.”

Anyone who spots the vervets is encouraged to call Animal Care and Control.