Monkey caught after four years on the lam

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- A rhesus macaque monkey on the loose for nearly four years in Florida's Tampa Bay region has been caught by trappers.

Veterinarian Don Woodman was able to shoot the monkey, named Cornelius after the character from "Planet of the Apes," with a tranquilizer dart Wednesday while it was inspecting a trap wildlife rescuer Vernon Yates had placed near the St. Petersburg home of Elizabeth Fowler.

Fowler, 60, was bitten by the monkey a few weeks ago, the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Times reported.

Yates was able to ensnare the monkey with a catch pole and it soon fell asleep from the tranquilizer.

"It was nice to have done the job and done it well and done it smoothly," Woodman said.

Woodman and Yates said Cornelius, who had been on the loose in the area for nearly four years, was quarantined Wednesday evening and will be sent to a sanctuary to live with other monkeys if his health checks out.