The Feral Rhesus Monkeys of Central Florida

A well-established population of rhesus monkeys has existed along the Silver River in Central Florida for nearly 80 years. Depending on who you believe, the monkeys were either escapees from the 1933 filming of a Tarzan movie or intentionally released by tour boat operator Colonel Tooey, to enhance his Jungle Cruise. He planned to use the attraction of the colony as one of the sights on his Jungle Cruise, but did not know that the rhesus monkeys were excellent swimmers. By 1984, the upper Silver River population consisted of some 400 animals, with an unknown number along the Ocklawaha River. These monkeys forage for themselves on a wide variety of native plants and tourist handouts.........not advised. It’s against the law to feed them and they can be very aggressive, especially when it comes to food. The monkeys continue to thrive along the Silver River to this day.