Residents of St Louis, Missouri, have reported an unusual sight on their city streets this week: monkeys roaming freely in a scenario likened to a scene from the film Jumanji.
Monkeys Spotted in North St Louis
A small group of primates was first spotted by locals in north St Louis on Friday. The city's Department of Health confirmed the sightings, stating that multiple monkeys are loose in the vicinity of O'Fallon Park. While initial reports suggested four animals, officials have not confirmed an exact number, only that there is more than one.
Justen Hauser, the Environmental Health Bureau Chief for the St Louis Department of Health, issued a statement. "We are working to get an idea of where they may be hiding or seeking food," he said. The department is collaborating with specialised agencies to safely capture the animals, who will then be taken to a certified facility for exotic wildlife.
Hauser emphasised the uniqueness of the situation, telling a local NBC affiliate that this is the first time the city has dealt with monkeys at large.
Identifying the Stray Primates
The St Louis zoo has since identified the escaped animals as vervet monkeys. According to the African Wildlife Foundation, the vervet is a small, black-faced monkey common in East Africa, typically with a greenish-olive or silvery-grey body.
The foundation notes that in areas where human and vervet populations overlap, the monkeys are often considered pests due to their tendency to steal food and raid crops, leading to significant culls. The incident in St Louis also highlights the broader issue of the exotic pet trade.
A report by Earth.org followed the story of a vervet named Gizmo, who was sold after being separated from his mother as an infant. Raised as a pet in the US, Gizmo became aggressive and was eventually confined to a cage before escaping and attacking an adult. His owner later arranged for him to be moved to a sanctuary in Texas and advocated for the Captive Primate Safety Act, a bill introduced in May 2025 to prohibit the trade of such species.
Public Safety and Legal Implications
Keeping exotic animals, including primates, is illegal within St Louis city limits. The origin of these particular vervet monkeys remains unknown. Authorities have issued a clear warning to the public.
"Residents should not approach these monkeys or try to capture them," cautioned Hauser. "They are very intelligent and social, but may be unpredictable or aggressive under stress."
Instead, anyone who spots the animals is urged to call a dedicated phone line (314-657-1500) to help officials track their movements. The city continues its efforts to locate and safely recover the stray simians, bringing an end to this unexpected urban wildlife incident.
