15 monkeys paddle to freedom in Polk County

Lex Salisbury figured the island, surrounded by a wide moat, would be a safe, comfortable home for the 15 monkeys rescued from Puerto Rico.

"They ended up outfoxing me and swimming off the island," said Salisbury, the chief executive of Lowry Park Zoo. "I think they're more street-smart than a zoo monkey."

The animals, called Patas monkeys, arrived Thursday at Salisbury's Safari Wild property in Polk County. By Saturday, they had vanished.

He was able to use Global Positioning System technology to locate them. But by then news media had heard about the missing monkeys and helicopters flew overhead. All that fuss may have concerned the monkeys, who split into two groups. One was alone. Salisbury put out food to lure them to safety.

"What we have to do is be patient now," said Salisbury, who said he owns the monkeys privately. "They've got to be relaxed enough to eat this food."

As for Polk residents, the Polk Sheriff's Office sent out a reverse 911 alert to beware of monkeys. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is helping, too.

When Fish and Wildlife spokesman Gary Morse answered his phone Tuesday, he immediately knew the topic.

The monkeys are typically quick-moving but docile animals that are harmless to humans. The monkeys' natural habitat is arid terrain in Africa.

Comments on this article

by deano	Apr 24, 2008 6:19 PM
I think I saw monkeys selling crack in Bartow.

by Jim	Apr 24, 2008 6:01 PM
all right, monkey chops

by jack	Apr 24, 2008 6:00 PM
Linda, Free room and board and benefits. In these economic times, it is a very tempting lucrative offer.

by James	Apr 24, 2008 5:59 PM
You can't keep a smart monkey down. They'll be all over the internet soon.

by Me	Apr 24, 2008 5:59 PM
They don't want people to approach them so that they don't distress them even further, not because they're a threat.

by kitty	Apr 24, 2008 1:17 PM
Malik, just like a lost, frightened domestic animal, if you approach the monkies, they might run into the path of a car or some other hazard.

by BOB	Apr 24, 2008 1:10 PM
eNOUGH MONKEY BUSINESS,ON WITH THE REAL NEWS,HOW ABOUT THAT GATOR IN THE KITCHEN,NOW THAT'S A STORY!

by dave c	Apr 24, 2008 12:17 PM
these monkeys are fast and very tough. they eat ants.

by Pete	Apr 24, 2008 12:16 PM
The monkeys ran off to run Florida Goverment! They are going to raise our taxes and pass more stupid unimportant bills! Actually they could run it better! Let them go!

by peter	Apr 24, 2008 12:13 PM
Peanut butter. Mily. Free "No Sunshine" free papers. They'll be home in no time. Trust me. Patas are gullible.

by alan	Apr 24, 2008 12:11 PM
yep , in fact it was a 71 elderodo, and it was very docile,,eating mc,donalds fries,,, no tag sorry,

by ralph	Apr 24, 2008 12:11 PM
Since the pond surrounds the island- why not put alligators swimming in the water? Bet that would have an effect on the silly monkeys.

by Linda	Apr 24, 2008 12:11 PM
Who gives anyone the "right" to buy a monkey and "own" it anyway? Would you like to be in a zoo and looked at by strangers all day? Or would you rather be in your own natural habitat?

by Piobair	Apr 24, 2008 12:10 PM
A real journalist would've told you how African Patas monkeys came to be in Puerto Rico in the first place, and why they need to be "rescued". They were in a research facility on an island; they swam away. Now they're a major

by chris	Apr 24, 2008 12:09 PM
You mean Lex Salisbury, chief exec of Lowry Park Zoo did not know Patas monkeys could swim?? What kind of backround is required for that job? Is he the same guy that shot the tiger?? My gosh use your head!!

by alan	Apr 24, 2008 12:09 PM
thought i saw one driving a 70's caddie ,looked hungry,,,,

by Jack	Apr 24, 2008 12:07 PM
I think the monkeys heard about the Storms-Hayes Bill. Under this theory, they are persueing Life, Liberty etc. The Florida Dream.

by John	Apr 24, 2008 12:06 PM
Do they get the same residency status as a Cuban that makes it to shore?

by Marty S.	Apr 24, 2008 11:58 AM
Well, you can take the monkeys out of Polk county but you can never take the Polk county out of a monkey!

by Dr. Evil	Apr 24, 2008 11:57 AM
Are they evil monkeys?

by td	Apr 24, 2008 11:56 AM
I'm pretty sure patas monkeys are the fastest primates on the planet. good luck catching one without shooting it.

by Tony	Apr 24, 2008 11:55 AM
shouda' put gators in the moat!

by Cheatah	Apr 24, 2008 11:52 AM
"They are absolutely no threat to people," Morse said. Then this... "What should you do if you spot the missing Patas monkeys?" "Don't approach them." Why? they gonna be soliciting for prostitution or selling cr

by Lee	Apr 24, 2008 10:38 AM
A similar situation happened in St. Petersburg. Back in the day "the jungle" area got its name because a small zoo released its monkeys in the Park Street area. After the depression, there was no money to feed them so they just let them go!

by frank	Apr 24, 2008 9:15 AM
this guy works for (runs?) the zoo? did he ever think to ask someone there about his plan to place these particular monkeys on an island?

by Mentonegrl	Apr 24, 2008 9:14 AM
I'll vote for the one who's nominated for President :o)

by Claude	Apr 23, 2008 3:20 PM
So what retarded ape brought them here to begin with,who is paying for efforts to recapture them?? Who is feeding them,who pays for their food? Damn Illegal aliens!

by Lola	Apr 23, 2008 3:15 PM
I'm with Bonzo -- GO MONKEYS, GO!

by Paul	Apr 23, 2008 3:15 PM
While I agree with the comment by Dave to some degree, I have to dispute the armadillo reference. They got into the USA on their own accord. At least they're trying to help the monkeys.

by GHWAITE	Apr 23, 2008 3:05 PM
They're probably looking for their deity who lives in the White House.

by Obvious	Apr 23, 2008 10:59 AM
stupid media helicopters. shame on you morons.

by David	Apr 23, 2008 10:41 AM
Hummmmmmmm reminds me of how we wound up with Ring-Necked Doves, Anoles, Parrots,and armadillos. This could be fun.

by Bonzo	Apr 23, 2008 10:41 AM
GO MONKEY, GO!

by Curtis	Apr 23, 2008 9:33 AM
This is so typical for Polk County.

by Malik	Apr 23, 2008 9:31 AM
First they tell you that "They are absolutely no threat to people". Then they tell you "Don't approach them" Sounds like they may be a threat to me