Monkeys

There are no monkeys endemic to the island of Puerto Rico.

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In 1938, a project managed by the University of Puerto Rico established colonies of Patas and Rhesus monkeys in two islets neat the southwestern shore of the mainland. The islets, named Cueva and Guayacán, would provide a steady supply of monkeys for laboratory research. Somehow throughout the years monkeys found their way to the mainland, where they continued to reproduce.

Rhesus Monkey From Wikipedia

In the year 2007, monkey populations are estimated to be of up to fifteen thousand animals. Farmers in southwestern Puerto Rico have been urging for governmental action to control the monkey population, but monkeys continue to propagate uncontrolled throughout the island. Crops of watermelon, papaya, tamarind, quenepas, mango and pineapple, among others, are being destroyed frequently by colonies of monkeys.

On March 9, 2007, a local newspaper quoted government officials who stated that special traps are being acquired which should be installed within sixty days to capture wild monkeys. Primera Hora, a local newspaper, reported on June 13, 2007 that a local farmer used three mangoes and an old cage to capture two wild monkeys twenty-five minutes after setting up the trap. The Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources has set up twenty traps in the area with no results during the first two weeks.

On January 2008, it has been reported that a group of 30 patas monkeys captured in Puerto Rico have been received at the The Florida Teaching Zoo, based in Bushnell, Florida.

Monkeys should be left to themselves. Do not annoy the animals, as they may become aggressive when defending their territory. Any scratches or bites from wild monkeys should be treated by a physician. Some of the monkeys are said to be carriers for the Hepatitis B virus, which can be transmitted to humans.

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