What Should Happen to Tampa Bay's Mystery Monkey?
The monkey, spotted all over the Tampa Bay area in recent years, seems headed for life in captivity at an animal sanctuary. Is that the right move?
The mystery monkey that had been on the lam in the Tampa Bay area for years has been captured.
The wild monkey, whom officials speculate had been cast out of a colony in Silver Springs, had previously been spotted everywhere from Pasco County to Temple Terrace, Town ‘N Country to Clearwater. He settled in southern Pinellas County before trappers finally caught up with him in a St. Petersburg neighborhood this week after he bit a woman.
The rhesus macaque monkey was taken to a Safety Harbor animal hospital for examination and is to be placed in quarantine for 30 days at an area wildlife compound while he is tested for diseases, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
From there, the monkey will likely go to a sanctuary in Florida to be with other monkeys, and several have already expressed interest, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission spokesperson told the Times. There's almost no chance he will have to be euthanized, officials said, but it's unclear how the monkey will adjust to life in captivity.
If you've been following this story, we want to know: What do you think should happen to Tampa Bay's mystery monkey? Is life at a Florida animal sanctuary the right move, and can he readjust and flourish there? Does he belong in a zoo, or back out in the wild somewhere?
Post a comment below and join the conversation.
Julie Becker
9:26 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I think he should be placed at Bush Gardens, or Lowrey Park, with others monkeys of his type.
Charles Harbold
10:16 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I agree Julie, let the children enjoy him as he plays with other monkeys
Matthew McManus
11:58 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I agree with the Julie and Charles. The monkey,Sleek, will probably be in better hands with Lowrey Park. At least the people will enjoy Mr. Sleek and he will be feed along with the loving care he would receive from the park. Maybe that lady in St. Pete wouldn't have been bitten if he was feed. When you're hungry, it's up for grabs, but I do feel sorry for in case he had a desease. Matt
Katie Dolac
12:35 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Maybe he can be friends with Pongo the Orangutan at the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary!
Janet
4:24 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
No, that is not a good idea.
Tina Marie
4:25 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Suncoast Primary Sanctuary gets my vote!
Janet
4:22 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
My only hope is that he will not be put into a small cage for viewing. At least give him what he needs - a large area to roam.
Sam Sonite
7:08 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
he should be allowed to vote in the upcomming election and whoever wins decides his fate
Janet
1:58 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Seems fair.
Tonya
12:10 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
I think that is a good idea .. The citzens should have the choice in where the monkey should go to live. To make sure he will be happy where ever he may go :D
Balee
10:47 am on Tuesday, October 30, 2012
This little guy should join others of his kind. Let's try and keep him in this area as a reminder and good memory of his "flight in freedom".
Dee Dokumaci
1:57 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012
In my opinion, I didn't like the name Cornelius, sorry it just doesn't fit him, I believe Freedom is more fitting after all he had freedom for 3-4 years
I agree with Tina Marie Suncoast Primate Sanctuary is the ideal place for our little mascot, not all of us have time or funds to be able to go to Busch Gardens or Lowry Zoo to visit him plus it is commercial place with profit on their minds, also the sanctuary is a very nice place who has his best interest at heart, I like the idea of being able to donate to their cause so I vote for Suncoast Primate Sanctuary :)
For All Those Who Hasn't Seen Their Website, Here's The Link http://suncoastprimate.homestead.com/index.html
Janet
2:43 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I haven't been to Suncoast Sanctuary for well over 35 yrs. For the locals who use to visit, we all well remember this terribly tragic place. To this day, I still cannot face the idea of revisiting this place. If I could know how big the cages are for these most intelligent primates, I would certainly reconsider my decision to visit. To put this monkey in a small cage is something I never want to see. It would be better to put him down than to live his long life confined. GIVE HIM SPACE!
Coach Factory Store
1:46 am on Thursday, November 22, 2012
arrest shortly after http://www.coachoutletonlinebd.com/]Coach Outlet Online the polls. Her NLD party, which boycotted http://www.guccibeltsoutletstores.net/]Gucci Belts the elections, has since rejoined the http://www.coachoutletstoreze.com/]Coach Outlet Store political process. It now has a small presence http://www.guccibeltsoutletds.net/]Gucci Belt in parliament after a landslide
http://www.coachfactoryonlinefn.net/]Coach Factory Outlet Online win in by-elections deemed generally
free and http://www.coachoutletonlinegc.com/]Coach Outlet Online fair in April.In response http://www.coachbagsoutletel.com/]Coach Bags Outlet to the reforms, many Western nations
http://www.coachoutletuso.net/]Coach Factory Online have relaxed sanctions against
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlineau.com/]Coach Factory Outlet Online Burma and begun a process http://www.coachfactoryonlineen.com/]Coach Outlet Online of engagement.But rights groups
http://www.hermesbeltsoutletsc.com/]Hermes Belt have cautioned against a rush to
http://www.coachfactoryonlinesu.net/]Coach Factory Online embrace the South East http://www.coachoutletod.com/]Coach Outlet Store Online Asian nation, warning
http://www.coachfactoryoutletbo.net/]Coach Outlet that political prisoners remain behind http://www.coachoutletos.org/]Coach Factory Online bars and
tory burch shoe
1:58 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
The best part? It has a roomy interior but is still small enough to be brought on a plane as a carry on.
http://www.mbtshoesukshoes.com/
http://www.burchshoes.com/
http://www.tory-flats.com
http://www.bagsforgirl.com/
http://www.borsegucci-italia.com
http://www.gucciuk-bags.com
http://www.gucci-outlethandbags.com/
http://www.gucci-forsale.com/
http://www.louboutin-shoescheap.com/
http://www.hermesbagssale-outlet.com/
http://www.christian-louboutinoutlets.com/
http://www.christian-louboutinoutlets.com/
yzw1314
2:53 am on Friday, November 23, 2012
http://www.coachoutletonlinest.com Coach Outlet Store
http://www.coachoutletonlinescoach.net Coach Outlet Online
http://www.coachoutletstorexd.net Coach Outlet Online
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinewb.com Coach Factory Outlet
http://www.coachfactoryoutlettx.com Coach Factory Store
http://www.coachfactoryoutletrb.com Coach Factory Store
http://www.coachfactoryonlinefc.org Coach Factory Online
http://www.coachoutletwy.com Coach Factory Online
http://www.coachoutletaol.net Coach Outlet
http://www.coachoutletstoreonlinesl.com Coach Outlet Store
http://www.coachoutletonlineybw.com Coach Handbags Outlet