Monkeys seen by Florida highway on New Year’s Day

On New Year’s morning, Florida wildlife showed up in non-forest areas. Maybe they were taking advantage of people sleeping to get out of their comfort zones.

This was especially true for eastern Marion County on the first day of 2026. A bald eagle flew low over the Ocklawaha Bridge seconds before a family of monkeys was seen hunting for food on State Road 40, 4 miles from Silver Springs State Park.

Why are there Rhesus macaques in Florida?

If you live in north central Florida, you know that Rhesus macaque monkeys are found in Silver Springs State Park near Ocala. They vary in color from brown to gray and have pink faces. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

monkeys introduced to Florida by one person in the 1930s Cruise operator named Colonel Stephen TooeyAccording to a post by the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.

Tooey released six of them onto a small island in the Silver River, hoping to create a park modeled on Tarzan stories.

Agile primates are native to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia and China.

A. viral video It shows a kayaker witnessing some kind of “monkey business” at Florida’s Silver Springs State Park primates He jumped from the trees and threw cannonballs into the springs.

Behavior and migration of monkeys

From 1984 to 2012, population growth of macaques was controlled through trapping and removal. Approximately 1,000 macaques were removed from this population by private trappers and sold to biomedical research facilities; however, this practice was discontinued due to concerns about animal rights.

Monkeys can become aggressive when you try to feed or approach them. If you keep your distance they will usually leave you alone. They have been known to chase visitors to Silver Springs State Park. In such a case, get help from the authorities.

Is it true that some macaques have herpes?

The latest figures from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that about 25 percent of Florida macaques carry the Herpes B virus. One more reason to keep your distance.

How many Rhesus macaques live in Florida?

The exact number fluctuates, according to UF. Invasive Rhesus macaques are still concentrated mainly around Silver Springs State Park, with estimates ranging from 300 to 600 in recent years, increasing from initial introductions; A 2018 study found at least 134 macaques in the Ocklawaha River area alone, but the population continues to grow and although sightings are monitored, they are not fully monitored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Why are the monkeys outside of Silver Springs State Park?

Female Rhesus macaques tend to stay with their natal group for life, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. At the same time, most males leave the group after reaching sexual maturity and remain alone or join other groups. More solitary males may be nomadic and may be responsible for extensive range expansion, as they have been seen in cities such as Sarasota, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Orlando.

In 2024, the Leesburg Daily Commercial reported Lake County sightings in Groveland and Clermont.

They’re not the only monkeys in the Florida wilderness. Sunshine State also There are squirrels and vervet monkeys.

Experts warn that resident populations in the park and the greater Ocala National Forest could easily lead to new colonies forming in other parts of the state due to this dispersal behavior

Wild monkeys are so common in some areas that FWC He only asks that you report them if you see them outside of their core population area in Marion County. To report a monkey sighting:

• Try taking photos or videos

• Call FWC’s Exotic Species Hotline at 888-IveGot1 (888-483-4681).

If you see a wild monkey that poses an imminent threat to humans, call 911 or FWC’s Wildlife Alert Line at 888-404FWCC (888-404-3922).

This article was first published in the Daily Commercial: Monkeys spotted on Florida highway on New Year’s Day