THE VILLAGES, Fla. — University of Florida biologists say a population of monkeys native to Asia appears to be spreading in central Florida.
For more than 75 years, rhesus macaques have inhabited Silver Springs State Park in Ocala.
That population has grown to roughly 200 monkeys in the park, and University of Florida biologists say new sightings of the monkeys have been reported in Lake County.
Photos: Monkey in The Villages
Monkeys have been spotted in Lady Lake and The Villages, more than 20 miles south of the park.
Biologist Steve Johnson told a local newspaper that as the population grows, it wouldn't be surprising to see males disperse outside Ocala.
In November, a tan-colored monkey was spotted on the roof of a Lady Lake school. Weeks later, a homeowner reported seeing a monkey in her backyard in The Villages.