Wild monkeys in SOUTH FLORIDA?! *EXCLUSIVE ACCESS*

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Florida is a semi tropical state and more fragile than most in the US. We need to protect it, not keep hurting it. I'm glad these guys are protected, left alone. I get so tired of pet owners being irresponsible and letting them go or not containing them well enough. Best wishes for this sanctuary. Keep Florida wild !!!

[@markrogge3098]

The monkeys were released by a facility 40 years ago. No "irresponsible pet owners" have been involved with this situation. Technically, although I wouldn't advocate for it, the LEGAL let trade may have REDUCED the size of this wild, invasive population... and not added to it.

[@Melo-wj4ok]

They just said in the video how pet keepers were actually finding out where these monkeys were at and going to the locations and catching them to resell or keep. Also the monkeys escaped from a government facility and were never caught so that’s crazy.

[@laurieperry9776]

@LeoS I hope you're kidding

[@Swfl_lane941]

Let’s hunt some monkeys boys

[@JessNW0lfG4NG]

I mean if any disease developed from these vermin then I hope we can quarantine florida with a giant wall.

[@Dynotop1a]

Really cool and informative video as always! I knew there were a number of primate populations here in Florida, but wasn’t aware of the management of these Vervet monkeys.

[@brianoakes70255]

FBI's most wanted found in the Everglades

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

very interesting how these guys have been able to survive and produce there. i wonder what florida will look like in 30 years.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

more buildings, more people, less beauty. I'm a native and love Florida, but hate to see it over developed.

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

@@KindCountsDeb3773 i definately get that. nature is getting reduced pretty fast. i hope i get to visit one day. nature is pretty boring here in western europe

[@janetpaul3744]

I was shocked to find out there are Vervets in South Florida!! I live in North Florida and have been to Silver Springs and seen the monkeys there. I have been watching the Vervet Monkey Foundation in South Africa on KZbin for 3 years and have learned so much them. VMF rescues and introduces orphaned and injured baby monkeys into the troops there. They have also started rescuing Samango’s! And have small Samango troop now. Check the VMF videos out!! Thank you for the video!! I love the Vervets!!!

[@markrogge3098]

Chris, I'm happy you produced this video. I'm unsure that spending a gazillion dollars to sterilize and cage 17/40 wild monkeys that have managed to thrive undisturbed here for 40 years is the right more. I would definitely love to see that money spend on our local homeless population, improving our parks, etc.

[@Specogecko]

I totally agree

[@raelynwesson]

I have to disagree with you. Look up what these monkeys are doing in Cambodia and Thailand for just leaving them alone. If we don't keep them consistent with sterilization and try to make it harder for them to be pets then out of control once people are realizing how destructive these pet monkeys are then we will turn out those other countries that have lost control over these diseased monkeys.

[@Jenvlogs404]

It’s the thing that makes it unique and brings tourism, some parks do better left alone.

[@jessicamermaid2438]

As a Florida native and wildlife lover, I have often thought about the best way to handle our groups of wild monkeys. The conclusion I came to is basically, the same approach they are hoping to take here; sterilization and letting the existing animals live out the rest of their lives in their current location. I really hope this project gets the backing it needs! Missy the director, seems like a very special person, with compassion and intelligence making her just as remarkably beautiful on the inside, as she is on the outside.

[@beefsupreme694]

Life will find a way..

[@pop867]

The Roosevelt family needs to fund this.

[@rbtkng2438]

Just wondering, maybe I misunderstood, they are sterilizing the monkeys, but at the very end of the video she mentioned that one of the females has given birth to two babies, one of which is shown. Great video

[@FloridasWildest]

Only in captivity they will be spayed and neutered. Not while they’re running wild

[@rbtkng2438]

@@FloridasWildest 👍

[@beefsupreme694]

Life will find a way...

[@Imissfinley]

I remember feeding these monkeys in the 1970’s at FAU. It was a favorite past time. I’m glad they managed to survive, but didn’t become invasive. I didn’t know then what I know now about feeding wild animals.

[@tbjtbj4786]

They are invasive. Its not a natural animal here so its invasive

[@brookematthews8122]

Great video! Is this place open to the public? If not, how did you guys get access? I can't believe that there are wild monkeys in Florida.

[@oscarkoop2548]

The vervet monkey population is not the issue, they are awesome, the rhesus macaques will end up being the problem later down the road. They have been migrating north and west. They estimate there are almost 3 to 5k in the wild and the majority have herpes B. Hopefully the python can help curve that population. As well as the wild hogs.

[@oceandrives131]

I’ve seen those guys in north Miami Beach at greynolds park

[@joyandersen2782]

It's incredible (but so Florida😄) that there are wild monkeys here! There are also 4 or 5 spider monkeys on Monkey Island in the Homasassa River.💚

[@joyandersen2782]

@Joshua Karikas Karikas I'm not sure, but as far as I know they're still there. If you Google Monkey Island, Homasassa you can read how they came to be there!💚

[@kj2540]

@@joyandersen2782 i just search it thanks for the info. Never knew Monkeys existed in Florida.

[@heatherlandskron]

great video!! hi gabby and chris!! you all doing awesome job!! have a good evening. i hope all is well.

[@hw9066]

What do they do when a hurricane comes thru?

[@celyramos3007]

I just found out about these little guys here in Florida and actually was able to see them and it was just wonderful. I also heard great things from those that run into them often. I understand that this may sound like a good thing, but at the same time I don't understand why do this now when these little guys have thrived and survived for all these years. It's truly fascinating and they seem happy just running wild and staying in the same area pretty much for all these years. I am no expert, but I absolutely love animals and I don't fully understand why do this if they have been here since the 1940s and their numbers have not declined and they are not harming the environment either. To catch them now and spay/neuter them just sounds sad to me. They seem to be living just fine..years of their survival prove this, so why now. My first experience with Vervet Monkeys was in Africa, as I stated I have a passion for animals and decided to go to Africa and I had an absolutely amazing experience with 100% wild Vervet Monkeys and I saw a few with injuries, like half an arm, etc. I also saw people feeding them, once again these were 100% wild Vervet Monkeys all over Kenya in Africa. Basically everything these monkeys go through here in Florida, also happens in the wild in Africa, so I genuinely don't see why this is so necessary. They've been here decades harming no one and surviving, so why cut that. I believe just let the wild be wild, some will be injured, some might eat junk, some might get hit by a car, but this is all part of being wild. It is the same for them in Africa. They are around cars too, people feed them, and they have injuries. I'm not 100% sure, but from what I know they should just be left alone like they've been for all these years, which is a whole lot of years. They sure bring a lot of joy and seem perfectly happy.

[@tbjtbj4786]

Why? Because there enough there starting to have effect on crops Destroying property Killing natural wildlife Carrying illness that can be passed to other animals and humans They have started attacking people And there a invasive species. And peta sued fwc for using population control methods and there increasing there numbers And there moving out of the area they been in. They been spotted in Jacksonville

[@1984hlms]

Those tails! Great video! Had no idea those monkeys lived out there.

[@williamchristian8705]

Wherever this location is it sounds like it’s near a Freeway or Highway. Hopefully they stay within certain boundaries and don’t venture out often. But I could be wrong about the sounds I’m hearing. It possibly is something else.

[@FloridasWildest]

It’s very close to the airport! What you’re hearing are the planes getting ready to land

[@williamchristian8705]

@@FloridasWildest Thank you for the clarification. I could hear that somewhat ambient background noise. I assumed it was auto traffic.

[@ericsproutfourteen5307]

First off Gabby you should probably have some knee high waterproof boots. 🙂 Now can they Humanly tag or Collar one or two of these cool creatures to monitor they're habits like "Traveling Patterns" if they would spread farther out for maybe human food as talked about? Thxs for the video!

[@stephie6453]

Long time no see guys I'm so sorry I haven't been around I had a family emergency but all is well now and I'm back excellent video!

[@kendrasowell2411]

WOW:)!!! Those are some seriously adorable monkeys😁. Chris & Gabby, this was a great educational video, and I am so thankful to have learned about these little guys! I find it very fascinating that these monkeys do not increase in numbers given all the years that they have had. I must admit I do feel a bit sad at the thought of them going extinct, even though I do understand that they are an invasive species. It really angers me to think of the poachers trapping them, and then to selling them. What is y’all’s thoughts on the things that Missy said? Like the *stoping* the monkeys from being able to reproduce, and captivity…etc. Do you both agree? (Hope you don’t mind me asking):)

[@alucardhellsing1037]

Not adorable they are a pest in my native South Africa. They damage everything in sight. You can't even grow a vegetable garden.

[@allysonaa5730]

@@alucardhellsing1037 I’ve seen lots of videos from Africa, India and Cambodia involving monkey troops. I’m sure it’s hard to coexist with them, especially when they’re so adapted to humans, and I’m sure it only gets worse bc of all the food handouts they get from people. I’m usually for wild animals being kept in the wild, but after hearing and seeing how people treat them and seeing what all mischief they get into and destruction they cause, it’s almost as if they would be better off living in sanctuaries and/or acreages of land/forest designated just for them, where they could strive and run free without any fear of being killed, poached, taken as pets, etc.

[@allysonaa5730]

I was kinda confused tho, bc in one sentence, I also heard her say that they get them fixed to help prevent them from reproducing, bc of overpopulation in the sanctuary, but then in another sentence she mentioned something about how she remembered when a monkey that she was introducing to them was a baby and couldn’t believe she already had 2 babies of her own now.

[@MarkyMark2177]

@@allysonaa5730 I think maybe the sterilization is a recent thing

[@allysonaa5730]

@@MarkyMark2177 Ohhhhhh possibly

[@tirx1210]

These monkeys are so cute! I'm so glad there's people protecting them!!

[@RobertaGallant]

Are monkeys and apes dangerous animals? How dangerous are they?

[@jukio02]

Those monkeys are escaped criminals. I know that you cannot arrest their descendants, but it's still makes me mad.

[@ChristopherFava-z2y]

😂😂

[@heatherchiuffo5375]

Precious babies!!!! I love this! Thank you so much

[@dcastillo2008]

Wow this is so interesting!!!

[@TheWhoya]

Unfortunately the 40 or so seemingly fixed quantity is well like they are saying right now ....a limit that will eventually go to zero without deliberate breeding because they don't like to breed inside their troop / family.

[@danaburkhart5743]

So let me make sure I understand, so you all don't want anymore monkeys in Florida once the population you have now has died off? Well that just doesn't seem right, however I guess I understand the overpopulating and human intervention could be a potential problem. Thanks for sharing. I truly wish you all the best of luck and I think it's great that they are protected. Also the work you do for these monkeys is awesome. Truly good luck.

[@FloridasWildest]

It’s really the human intervention. There is no way to legally help the monkeys if they’re sick or injured

[@pubgboss629]

Great Videos. I'm interesting

[@lenalernova]

This is so interesting. you guys need to do a podcast and talk with other experts about various topics.

[@jimc6687]

Wow!! How lucky is Chris!! Not only does he get to travel to Africa to swim and film Nile crocodiles but then he gets to come home and hang with not just one but two very attractive and caring Florida naturalists!! Living the dream my friend!! :>) Jim C.

[@pop867]

This video will sure bring out the crazys to come trap them.

[@kimberlywilson6107]

There's also a breeding facility in Florida for macaques.

[@callieduval3000]

There should be stricter rules and enforcement on non native animals allowed in this country.

[@gustavoceballos5327]

A mass migration of monkeys departed from South and Southeast Asia to arrive to Florida

[@christysank7705]

this was so cool!

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

Excellent video with two beautiful hostesses

[@Specogecko]

They aren’t invasive and aren’t going to be anytime soon and as stated they’re just naturalized so just leave them alone and let them be, if anything it’s a conservation population.

[@cherylreuter4008]

Bring them some Avocado 🥑??

[@a.nellsechs6817]

I usually come catch a couple here and there. No laws. Invasive.

[@MrGaborseres]

Monkey business 😮

[@snakemannn1744]

Nice ,,,,,,, 100

[@INoahGuy914]

Predicted to go extinct , dam that sounds so wrong lol . Off topic but shes very hot too . Lol

[@pamelaheadings585]

If they have been staying low in population. Why do we have to do anything. Leave them.

[@silversmoke8398]

I don't understand the python thing. If they're in Florida to stay, and you're not going to be able to get rid of them all, why try? Why round up and kill a few at a time when it does no good in the long term big picture?

[@FloridasWildest]

Just by removing one you’re saving hundreds of animals. We will never get rid of them, but we can at least try to keep the population under control.

[@FloridasWildest]

It’s not a few at a time, the program has removed over 5000. That’s thousands of native species saved

[@silversmoke8398]

@@FloridasWildest Thanks for the info. I guess I just have a hard time not looking at the subject through an emotional lens... It just makes me sad is all. It seems like there should be something we can do to save the local ecosystem AND the snakes. But I can't think of anything. And I'm sure people more educated than me have tried. I know y'all genuinely care for these creatures, and wouldn't be doing that if you believed there was another way. I just hate the situation.

[@renez4198]

These snakes are eating all these monkeys that's why the low population

[@anaalvarez1925]

Because they are and will continue to kill native fauna. Native fauna don’t have a way to protect themselves against the pythons. All species of animals in a location can only defend themselves against species native to the same location. Pythons are not indigenous to Florida so our animals don’t have any defenses against them. I know that we have some invasive species that don’t do any damage to native species like the brown anoles that came from the tropical islands and actually help us by eating flies, mosquitoes and other bad insects we have and they also feed some of our native species and that’s why the government has not gotten rid of them.

[@95KIPPIE]

I know exactly how they got there and I know that they need to go. You’re gonna have people with machine guns blowing them away

[@SirLangsalot]

Florida will be under water in 100 years, anyway?

[@grudd3078]

Respectfully disagree with this...First encounter with these monkeys was about 20 years ago eastbound on Dania Bch Blvd before the Intracoastal bridge...there were 2 of them up in a sable palm in the median and they both jumped down as I drove by and disappeared into the brush around 6:45 AM...They've survived there twice the number of years you or I have been in existence...Sterilization and basically entrapment is worse than one monkey accidentally being hit by a car...Again my opinion...I appreciate the care you have for these creatures but do not agree with the end result

[@ianspingle8865]

These monkeys live to close to people it's dangerous for them and the people that live there. They need to move them to a less populated area. 🐒

[@cyndilucero3724]

You’re going to let them Die out, that’s like genocide… these are animals, a living being! Let them LIVE!!!

[@cyndilucero3724]

Yikes you named them and working to kill them so they are a nuisance! Seriously!?!?!?

[@cyndilucero3724]

That’s like naming your pig and then eating “porky’s” bacon for breakfast and the her ham for dinner…ggrrr 🤬

[@heatherfowler1031]

Sterilize them now before it’s out of control and tag each one to get an actual count . Some how I don’t believe 30 monkeys is the number unless the crocs are doing a good job every year lol!!!

[@jeffw5195]

The number may be 40ish in the sanctuary, but there are hundreds in Florida. Started as 6 70 years ago. The government has been killing them for a long time. Hunters would catch and sell to labs back in the day.

[@joyglocker8318]

Interesting video, thanks. Hmm...since they are only in that area, is it possible to release other (2 or 3) unwanted monkeys from zoos or confiscated private rescues so 1. help them and 2. bring some fresh blood into the group. This project could stay on to contain this group there and educate people. Just a thought.

[@FloridasWildest]

You cannot add more, they aren’t even allowed to get medical help and re-release these ones. They are non native

[@silversmoke8398]

Illegally you can, though right? If if would help, I don't see why not. I don't know if it would, though.

[@FloridasWildest]

@@silversmoke8398 yeah if you want to go to jail 🤦🏼‍♀️ We just did an entire video on how they suffer and get hit by cars in the wild and you want to release more!?

[@silversmoke8398]

@@FloridasWildest No, I don't want to release more. I was just pondering the question that the above individual asked on if it would be beneficial or not. The only answer given was that it cannot be done from a legal standpoint. Nothing on of it would be beneficial or negative to the monkeys. So I was expanding on the question. Laws are just suggestions from politicians backed by a threat of violence. They don't mean anything. What is right/moral should be the only consideration before doing something. Not what's legal. But no I don't want to release more. I was just wondering what the benefits/negatives of doing that would be.

[@FloridasWildest]

@@silversmoke8398 It would not be good for the monkeys. Like we explained they are being sad people food, getting electrocuted, I’m getting hit by cars. And legally they are not allowed to get vet care

[@renez4198]

The snakes eat the monkeys

[@kennethricher45]

All I can think about is how many animals can live better by eating these monkeys. Like floridas big cats and gators.

[@williampaylorjr9481]

And the pythons they're trying to get rid of??

[@eliexotic212]

Loves it

[@mikemullikin8942]

It's so sad that their primary source of food is from humans. That's probably a negative enough impact to keep the population low. I love Florida and I miss a lot of things about living there. I hope it won't be ruined.

[@lawdhimself2423]

Capture or kill invasive species

[@kennethclaar922]

Wow the tall host looks like a more beautiful blonde Angela Jolie.

[@mxxt9796]

You can obviously tell she has done alot of botox...she talks and nothing on her face moves. Sad beauty insecure problems in Florida

[@mydude8731]

Florida panthers could eat them

[@kj2540]

Pobrecito they get electrocuted !!!

[@crisitansardina9595]

Tragic, just leave them be the population has never changed, why spay and neuter.

[@JesseCiancimino-cl8rk]

There exterminating them slowly

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

It’s nit compassionate to feed animals junk food…