Wild monkey killed by vehicle in Ocala

A feral monkey hit and killed by a vehicle in north Florida was believed to have lived in Silver Springs State Park.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Greg Workman said Wednesday that sightings of monkeys in populated areas like Ocala is common.

The monkey was believed to be a rhesus macaque.

That species of monkey was introduced to Silver Springs in 1938 as part of a Jungle Cruise attraction.

The tour operator, Captain Toomey, populated an island in the river with a few monkeys. Eventually, they migrated to the nearby forests and created multiple colonies.

The Ocala Star-Banner (http://bit.ly/1SEVQXH ) reports the monkey was seen running through a parking lot and then later found dead off State Road 200.

 

 

Information from: Ocala Star-Banner