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Rhesus monkey on the loose in Tampa Bay area

By Daniel Uria
A rhesus macaque, like the one pictured above, was spotted on the loose in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is not sure where the monkey came from, but warned residents to avoid approaching and feeding it. Photo by Kdsphotos/Pixabay
A rhesus macaque, like the one pictured above, was spotted on the loose in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is not sure where the monkey came from, but warned residents to avoid approaching and feeding it. Photo by Kdsphotos/Pixabay

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HUDSON BEACH , Fla., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Wildlife officials in Florida warned local residents to be on the lookout for an escaped monkey.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported several sightings of a rhesus macaque in the Hudson Beach area, in Pasco County, north of Tampa, WFLA reported.

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Reports of the monkey reached the FWC from several local residents, although officers remain unsure where the monkey came from.

The FWC asked members of the public to "call in with information so that we can protect public safety and continue to work toward a positive outcome," according to Fox 13.

Residents were also warned not to approach or feed the monkey and were also advised to secure their trash to avoid attracting it.

The first reported sighting of a rhesus macaque in Florida occurred in 1930 when one escaped from a tourist attraction.

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