Florida authorities have warned citizens about the appearance of wild monkeys in parts of the state and are urging them not to feed or catch them.
Orange City Police were among the first to warn citizens about this after receiving multiple calls about monkeys seen in the area.
A monkey identified as a wild rhesus monkey can be seen in the photo released by police.
However, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, these monkeys “pose a multitude of environmental and health concerns.”
Some of these animals would also have tested positive for herpes B.
The authorities are therefore urging people not to come into contact with the monkeys to avoid the risk of bites or other injuries that could promote disease transmission.
Keep in mind that feeding monkeys is also illegal in Florida, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and a 60-day jail term.