ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Department of Health has stopped its search for several monkeys reported in north St. Louis earlier this month. Officials ended the operation after confirming only one sighting of a monkey, despite initial reports of a larger group.
According to 5 On Your Side, calls from residents on the afternoon of January 8 sparked the citywide search. People living on Red Bud Avenue near O’Fallon Park described seeing four monkeys in the neighborhood. While neighbors claimed to see multiple primates, a St. Louis police officer could only confirm seeing one of the animals.
Investigation Challenges
A surge of fake social media posts complicated the investigation. AI-generated images of monkeys began circulating online shortly after the initial reports. These fakes made it difficult for authorities to decide where to send search teams or which tips to investigate.
Abby Stylianou, an associate professor at Saint Louis University, reviewed the original photos associated with the sightings. She found that while the images did not look fake, modern technology makes it impossible to prove they are real just by checking lighting or shadows.
Health and Survival Risks
Health officials and local veterinarian Dr. Doug Pernikoff identified the primates as vervet monkeys, a species native to sub-Saharan Africa. Experts noted that the species is not built to survive Missouri’s freezing winters.
Dr. Pernikoff said he believes the sightings were likely real. He suggested that because there have been no new reports, the animals' owners may have already caught them and returned them to captivity.
Community Reaction
The mystery of the monkeys quickly became a viral topic across the city. To make the most of the excitement, local business Crown Candy Kitchen began selling solid chocolate monkeys to customers.
While the official search has ended, the Department of Health has not shared any more news about where the animals came from or where they are now.
