There are several monkeys on the loose in St. Louis, and AI-generated images are complicating efforts to find them.
Vervet monkeys were first spotted Thursday near a park in the northern part of the city, sparking “rumor after rumor,” said Willie Springer, a spokesman for the city’s health department. It is not clear who owns the monkeys, how they were freed, or exactly how many there are.
People have reported capture of the monkeys, even posting fake photos online to bolster the claim. As of Monday, the monkeys remained at large, Springer said.
“It was a lot about artificial intelligence and what is real and what is not real,” Springer said. “People are just having fun. Like I don’t think anyone means harm.”
The highest number of people who have reported seeing them is four, Springer said. People aren’t allowed to own animals in the city, so Springer doubts anyone will come forward to claim them.
Right now, animal control is working with primate experts at the St. Louis Zoo to find them.
Vervet monkeys are native to sub-Saharan Africa, where they are widespread. They weigh between 7 to 17 pounds (3.18 to 7.71 kg), and are sometimes called green monkeys because of the color of their fur.
Residents have been urged to stay away from the monkeys and seek help instead. They are intelligent and social, but may be unpredictable or aggressive under pressure, a press release said.