The history of rhesus macaques in Marion County

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Rhesus macaques were introduced to Silver Springs State park in the mid-1930s, according to the University of Florida.

An old tale was the monkeys were released at the park during the filming of “Tarzan Finds a Son;” however the monkeys were intentionally placed in the park long before the movie by Colonel Tooey.

Tooey, a boat promoter from New York, put the macaques in Silver Springs in an effort to increase tourism, according to UF. Silver Springs became a tourist attraction in the 1870s. It became known for its crystal clear waters and glass-bottom boat tours were established.

Researchers estimated the macaques population grew to 400 by the 1980s.

According to UF, short-term permitted trapping was allowed in 1984 to reduce the population of the monkeys.  During the trapping, 217 were captured and sold for biomedical research. Dozens of others were removed in 1986 without permits, researchers said.

Between 1986 and 1990, 20 female macaques were sterilized in Silver Springs to also help reduce the population.

The state of Florida allowed a private trapper to capture 830 rhesus macaques from 1998 to 2012. Approximately 700 of the monkeys were sold to biomedical research facilities.

Researchers at UF said macaques at Silver Springs have tested positive for herpes B virus and could pose a danger to humans.

According to researchers at UF, there have been at least 18 reports of macaques biting or scratching humans in Central Florida; however, there have been no confirmed cases of herpes B in humans from those incidents.

Cox Media Group