Monkeys' Escape Surprises Experts

THE LEDGER ^ | April 23, 2008 | Shoshana Walter

[george76]

It's a tongue-twister and a mind-bender: The pack of 15 Patas primates procured from Puerto Rico were not supposed to be able to swim.

But they did Saturday, when together they crossed a 50-foot wide, 8-foot deep moat and escaped their manmade island home at a wildlife facility on Moore Road in Lakeland, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

At the root of all this monkey business is something that confounded wildlife officials...

In their former Puerto Rico home, these monkeys swam every day, commission spokesman Gary Morse said.

Salisbury learned this fact Tuesday as the monkeys continued to fan out into the wilderness of rural Polk County, Morse said.

"Monkey see, monkey do," Morse explained. "This is such a social species. When the leader of the pack does it, they all do it."

Salisbury had located the group, which included 11 adults and four young monkeys, in the middle of a nearby sod farm Tuesday morning, but as TV news helicopters began to hover, the monkeys scattered in pairs for safety...

[george76]

[org.whodat]

Ok, where is the gravel shooter and the taunting.

[Izzy Dunne]

Monkeys' Escape Surprises Experts

Experts' Ignorance Surprises Monkeys.

[LucyT]

Those poor frightened animals were removed from their home, now they have to deal with curiousity seekers, helicopters, alligators and neighborhood dogs.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks george.

In their former Puerto Rico home, these monkeys swam every day, commission spokesman Gary Morse said.

"...but we never saw this coming! It was totally unexpected, dudes!"

[george76]

LOL

Experts’ Ignorance Surprises Monkeys.

[MtnClimber]

I used to live near Lakeland. If those monkeys reach Green Swamp, they will be very difficult to capture!

[Hacklehead]

“Experts” aren’t what they used to be.

[whipitgood]

“...located them ...in a sod farm...”
You monkeys can just sod off!
Great post George!

[tm61]

wildlife facility manager, Herb Tarlek, was quoted “as God is my Witness, I thought monkeys could’t swim”

[vox_freedom]

Evidently the monkeys are the monkey experts.

[george76]

thanks

[Right Wing Assault]

Man, even Michelle Obama can’t scowl like that sucker in post #2.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

LOL!

[NonValueAdded]

Run like the wind, monkeys. Get thee to the Green Swamp.

[alexander_busek]

Life will find a way.

Jeff Goldblum as "Ian Malcolm" in Jurassic Park

[wildbill]

“as God is my Witness, I thought monkeys could’t swim”

Usually they can’t unless Tarzan teaches them.

[RGSpincich]

I can hear Howard now. Look at that monkey swim...

[Hacklehead]

“wildlife facility manager, Herb Tarlek, was quoted “as God is my Witness, I thought monkeys could’t swim””

Let’s hope they dont transfer him to the turkey exhibit.