Florida Monkeys, Feral and Herpes-Infected, Wreaking Havoc

[Turd Fergusen]

Feral primates capable of spreading deadly herpes are plaguing Floridians and the state’s wildlife, experts complain. And the rhesus macaques’ ranks are growing.

“I personally am concerned,” Steve Johnson, associate professor of wildlife ecology at the University of Florida, tells the Guardian.

The rhesus macaque population in Silver Springs State Park has grown to more than 1,000 statewide, increasingly terrified state officials say. They’re wreaking havoc on the environment, gorging themselves on quail eggs and 50 species of plants.

And most menacingly, about 30 percent of those caught harbored herpes-B virus, and some actively carried the disease in their saliva and other bodily fluids, meaning it could easily be transmitted via a bite.

The virus can be deadly for humans. The threat became a real one in November, when a monkey infected a Japanese scientist with herpes-B, putting the lab worker in critical condition.

And they can swim — fast. Kayaker Rod Guynn captured the moment rhesus macaques dove into the Silver River this October, putting on display their strong swimming skills, and offering a warning to other park-goers of how close the animals can get.

Full Story:
https://nypost.com/2019/12/31/feral-herpes-infected-monkeys-wreaking-havoc-in-florida/

 

[Blunderbuss Firozabad]

The video at the link shows the larger male monkeys herding the females and babies to the end of high-up branches and bouncing the tree limb until they fall and fall, and plop into the river and swim across.
No fear of the boaters filming.
Kind of unnerving.

 

[Siobhan]

These monkeys (among others) that have grown in population, were introduced to Silver Springs State Park during the 1930's, for filming the original "Tarzan" series starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan.
You can still see artifacts from the series there, and of course, Weissmuller's famous "Tarzan call" is played every half hour or so for park visitors.

 

[DaveL]

So, what you're telling me is, they're adapting well to the Florida lifestyle.

 

[Spider]

I thought feral and herpes spreading was common in Florida. Look at the human population. Looks like the Florida department of wildlife has a new problem to contain.

 

[DaveL]

I thought feral and herpes spreading was common in Florida. Look at the human population. Looks like the Florida department of wildlife has a new problem to contain.

Biting and herpes are two parts of the trifecta. Once they take up a bath salts habit, they officially become a native species.

 

[Sejanus]

This is the cauldron the zombie virus will brew in.

 

[king4sshole]

This is the cauldron the zombie virus will brew in.

I always knew it would start in Florida.

 

[Stebot]

Monkeys used to be the go to animal for drug testing think they were replaced by mice .
I some some in Dania , Florida where there used to be an amusement park

 

[George Spelvin]

Homo Florida Erectus probably fucked a drunken monkey slut wearing a fur thong on Spring Break.

 

[Bobbo]

I, too, am personally concerned.