Several monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis, and AI-generated images are complicating efforts to find them.
The Vervet monkeys were first spotted Thursday near a park in the northern part of the city, sparking “rumor after rumor,” city Health Department spokesman Willie Springer said. It is not clear who the monkeys belong to, how they escaped or exactly how many there are.
People have reported capturing the monkeys, even posting fake photos online to support their claims. But as of Monday, the monkeys were still on the loose, Springer said.
“It’s been a lot about AI and what’s authentic and what’s not,” Springer said. “People are just having fun. Like I don’t think anyone wants to do any harm.”
The most people who reported seeing them is four, Springer said. People aren’t allowed to own animals in the city, so Springer doubts anyone will come and claim them.
For 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. Weighing between 7 and 17 pounds (3.18 to 7.71 kilograms), they are sometimes called green monkeys because of the hue of their fur.
Residents were urged to stay away from the monkeys and call for help. A press release states that they are intelligent and social, but can be unpredictable or aggressive under stress.
