Pinellas News
Mystery Monkey caught in St. Pete has herpes B
TBO.com
Published: November 2, 2012
The Mystery Monkey has tested positive for herpes B, a wildlife official said Friday.Published: November 2, 2012
The monkey, which reached celebrity status while roaming in south St. Petersburg about three years, was tested for the disease after he was caught Oct. 23.
The disease is common among the rhesus macaques, said Baryl Martin, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
It's not a death sentence for the monkey, but it could limit his placement options at rescue facilities, Martin said.
"There may be fewer people wanting to adopt him," Martin said.
A woman who was bit by the monkey when it jumped on her back while she was in her backyard has been informed of the results and provided with treatment options, Martin said.
She has already undergone rabies shots.
Wildlife officials and trappers worked on and off for about three years to capture the monkey, which was living in the Lakewood Estates neighborhood.
The more the attempts failed, the more the monkey's fame grew.
A Facebook page popped up and became a huge hit. The media became infatuated with the chase, delighting in each time the monkey outwitted pursuers. The monkey's saga was featured on Comedy Central's "Colbert Report."
But residents began to feed the monkey and treat it as a pet. The animal began to become more aggressive, lunging at people and showing its teeth.
The fact that the monkey was diseased further illustrates why people should not feed wild animals, Martin said.
"This proves the danger of feeding wildlife and the danger of wild animals associating people with food," he said.