Florida is home to unexpected wild monkey populations. These primates are not native to the state; their presence is the result of distinct historical events that led to established groups now navigating the subtropical landscapes.
The Silver Springs Release
The most prominent introduction of monkeys into Florida’s wild occurred in the 1930s near Silver Springs State Park. A tour boat operator, Colonel Tooey, released approximately six Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) onto an island in the Silver River. His intention was to enhance his “jungle cruise” attraction. However, Tooey was unaware of the macaques’ swimming capabilities, which allowed them to quickly depart the island and establish themselves in the surrounding forests.
This initial group, supplemented by an additional six macaques released around 1948, found the Florida environment suitable. By the 1980s, their population near Silver Springs had grown to around 400 individuals.
Other Introduction Pathways
While the Silver Springs macaques are the largest and most well-known population, other monkey species and Rhesus macaque groups also arrived in Florida. Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) were introduced to Dania Beach in the 1940s, escaping from the Anthropoid Ape Research Foundation.
Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.) appeared via various routes, including escapes from private ownership, research facilities, or tourist attractions. Some were intentionally released into Silver Springs State Park around 1960, while another population escaped from a Broward County social club.
A separate Rhesus macaque population was introduced in the Florida Keys in the 1970s by a laboratory animal breeding company for biomedical research, with these animals later escaping. Other Rhesus macaques escaped or were released from the Tropical Wonderland amusement park in Titusville when it closed in 1976.
Current Monkey Populations
Established wild monkey populations are present in various parts of Florida. Rhesus macaques remain primarily concentrated in central Florida, particularly along the Silver and Ocklawaha Rivers. By 2015, the Silver Springs State Park population was estimated at 175 Rhesus macaques across five groups. A 2018 study indicated a minimum of 134 macaques in six groups along the Ocklawaha River.
Overall, the total number of wild Rhesus macaques in Florida was estimated between 550 and 600 individuals in 2020. Other estimates place the total wild monkey population in Florida at over 1,000 individuals, considered stable and self-sustaining.
The vervet monkey population in Dania Beach has remained stable for several decades, with a 2020 census estimating about 40 individuals in four groups. In contrast, most squirrel monkey populations in Florida have not persisted, with only two individuals remaining from a previously established population as of 2021.
Ecological Considerations
The presence of non-native monkey populations in Florida raises ecological considerations. Rhesus macaques are classified as an invasive species due to their impacts on native ecosystems. They have been observed consuming quail eggs in artificial nests, threatening native breeding birds. In the Florida Keys, Rhesus macaques caused significant destruction of mangroves, which are vital for shoreline erosion prevention and wildlife habitat.
Public health concerns also exist, as Rhesus macaques are known carriers of the Herpes B virus, which can be transmitted to humans. Though human cases are rare, with about 50 documented worldwide, up to 30% of Florida’s Rhesus macaques may excrete the virus in their bodily fluids, posing a risk through bites or scratches.
State agencies have implemented measures, such as prohibiting the feeding of wild monkeys, to reduce human-monkey interactions and mitigate potential disease transmission. While vervet monkeys have not yet reported negative ecological impacts in Florida, continued monitoring is important.