Florida hosts an unexpected resident: wild monkeys. These primates are not native to the Sunshine State, yet they have established breeding populations in various regions. Their presence raises questions about their origins and impact on the local ecosystem.
Current Population Estimates
Estimating the number of wild monkeys in Florida presents challenges. The most prominent group, rhesus macaques, primarily inhabits the area around Silver Springs State Park. In 2015, estimates placed their numbers at approximately 175 individuals across five groups within the park. More recent estimates from 2024 suggest the rhesus macaque population in Silver Springs could be as high as 400. Broader estimates for the entire state indicate over 1,000 wild monkeys, with the population considered stable and self-sustaining.
Population tracking involves scientific studies and observations by wildlife experts. Researchers monitor group sizes, movements, and breeding patterns to gauge trends. The population trajectory for rhesus macaques and other established species points towards continued growth.
Species and Their Florida Arrival
Three primary monkey species have established breeding populations in Florida: rhesus macaques, vervet monkeys, and, to a limited extent, squirrel monkeys. Rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) were first introduced in the 1930s near Silver Springs. A commercial boat captain released about six monkeys onto an island to attract tourists, unaware of their swimming abilities. The macaques quickly swam off the island and began breeding in the surrounding forests.
Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) arrived in Florida in the 1940s, escaping from the Anthropoid Ape Research Foundation in Dania Beach. These monkeys, native to West Africa, have adapted to Florida’s subtropical climate. Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.) also established populations in Florida, with one group originating from two pairs released from a social club in Fort Lauderdale in the mid-1970s. While five squirrel monkey populations were once confirmed, only a single, much smaller group remains today.
Ecological Considerations and Management
The presence of non-native monkey populations in Florida raises several ecological concerns. Rhesus macaques, for instance, consume native plant species and have been observed eating quail eggs, indicating a potential threat to native bird populations. Their foraging behavior has also led to damage, such as the decimation of red mangroves in the Florida Keys.
A significant health concern associated with rhesus macaques is their potential to carry the herpes B virus. Studies have found that a portion of the macaque population in Silver Springs carries this virus, which can be fatal to humans if transmitted. Transmission occurs through bites, scratches, or contact with bodily fluids.
Management efforts for these populations have varied. Between 1984 and 2012, approximately 1,000 rhesus macaques were removed from the Silver Springs area, but this effort ceased due to public controversy regarding their sale to biomedical research facilities. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advises the public to maintain distance from these animals and has made feeding wild monkeys illegal. Research monitors their behavior, ecology, and population dynamics to inform future management strategies.