Monday, September 15, 2008

I Just Saw a Monkey

No, really, I did!

I had just dropped Kevin off at SeaTech and Stellan and I were on our way to the park. As we were driving down A1A, a big monkey skittered across the highway. It looked kind of like the squirrel monkeys I'm so fond of at the SB Zoo, but much bigger, like the size of a really fat cat. I called Kev right away to inform him that we really did move to the jungle.
When I got home I did some Google detective work and discovered that there is in fact a population (size unsure, but probably around 100) of vervet monkeys, also known as green monkeys, that has inhabited Dania Beach for decades. Different stories list various beginnings to the monkey saga (escaped lab monkeys, roadside primate exhibition that went out of business, etc.), but with no real conclusive consensus. However, the more amusing stories relate that they have taken control of a Hertz car rental facility, tourists request rooms with a view of the monkeys at Motel 6, they have been possibly "taken out" in the night by shady business men, and the New York Times reports that this is only one example of all kinds of exotic non-native animals running amok in Florida.
I always wanted a pet monkey. Maybe this is the next best thing! Stellan and I might have to do some more investigating. What would he do faced with a 20 pound monkey? I'll keep you posted.

5 comments:

D said...

Oh my! That's just cool! Sounds like you are having a blast in your new locale and making lots of cool friends to get yummy treats with. Nice!

Jerry said...

Oh great, now Levi is going to be begging me for his own pet monkey. I can hear it now... "but Stellan has a monkey"

Erin said...

How are things going in Florida! I miss AIA....right by the beach!!! How are you??

River Nomads said...

Holy wild monkeys, Batman! Florida sounds way more exotic than I suspected! And you're still by the beach?! you lucky girl you . . .

Unknown said...

Florida is sounding more and more like Brasil all the time. I should come and visit!