Elusive Rhesus monkey makes its way north to Plains

ALBANY — An elusive small primate that wildlife officials have been receiving reports on for several weeks in Southwest Georgia has expanded its travels, officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said Friday evening.

DNR officials said that the animal, believed to be a Rhesus macaque (also known as a Rhesus monkey), is still on the loose and last week was spotted in Plains and between Americus and Smithville.

Previously, the northernmost point that the elusive monkey had been spotted was along the Kinchafoonee Creek in Lee County. It has been seen over a wide-ranging area from the Lake Chehaw area south along the Flint River Banks to Dougherty, Mitchell and Baker counties and near Bainbridge in Decatur County.

DNR officials have said they are evaluating reports of sightings to determine whether follow-up actions are warranted.

Another concern is the advent of fall hunting seasons that could place humans in close proximity to the wooded areas where the primate — or primates, as DNR officials have not ruled out that the sightings could involve more than one of the animals — is believed to be. Dove season opened Saturday, and archery season for deer opens this Saturday.

The health concern for humans is the fact that Rhesus macaques can carry the Herpes B virus, which is harmless to the animal. If a human catches the virus, however, it can be fatal.

DNR officials are urging hunters in the counties where the primate has been seen to be observant while in the woods. They also say that under no circumstances should an individual approach or attempt to handle the primate, which in addition to possibly carrying the Herpes B virus is a wild animal, not a pet. These monkeys have the ability to spit or throw fecal matter, and officials say they can be aggressive over food.

Wildlife officials also have not determined the source of the primate. DNR officials have said there are no permits in the area for possession of Rhesus macaque, and wildlife organizations like Albany’s Chehaw zoo do not have the species among their animals. The closest known established population of the Rhesus macaque is in Silver Springs, Fla., which is about 225 miles southeast of Albany, and wildlife officials have not determined whether there is a connection with the Southwest Georgia primate.

According to the National Primate Research Center at the University of Wisconsin, Rhesus macaques are found from Afghanistan to India and Thailand to southern China, and have lifespans of 25 years. Males can reach a height of 21 inches and a weight of 17 pounds, with females up to 18.5 inches and 11.8 pounds.

The distance from Bainbridge to Plains via Albany is about 96 miles, but it may not be too surprising that a Rhesus macaque would travel such a distance. The only primates with a broader geographical distribution than Rhesus macaques, the NPRC says, are humans.

Anyone who spots the primate is asked to immediately report it to DNR. During normal weekday business hours, contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Game Management Office in Albany at (229) 430-4254. On weekends and after 4:30 p.m. weekdays, contact DNR’s State Operations Center at 1 (800) 241-4113.