Several monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis, but where they came from remains unknown. The Animal Care and Control Division said that exotic animals are prohibited in the city of St. Louis and this is the first time they’ve had to deal with monkeys in the city. Justen Hauser, Environmental Health Bureau Chief with the St. Louis Department of Health, said initial reports suggested that four monkeys were on the loose near O'Fallon Park in North St. Louis. They were first spotted by neighbors on Red Bud Avenue on Thursday afternoon. He said the exact number and gender of the monkeys is not known, but several have been spotted by residents. St. Louis residents were shocked to learn of the monkeys escaping, pointing out that they have dogs and cats that they’re worried about being attacked. The Saint Louis Zoo helped identify the loose primates as Vervet monkeys. Known for their grayish-green fur, black faces and white eyebrows, they're often called green monkeys and are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Hauser stressed that people should not approach the monkeys if they see them, adding that once the monkeys are located they’ll be trapped by animal experts.
