Loose primate believed to be in Albany area still elusive

ALBANY — Wildlife officials say no sightings of a small primate, believed to be a Rhesus macaque, were made over the weekend in the Albany area.

Officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources said sightings of the small animal, which is generally between 18 inches and 24 inches tall, had been reported earlier in the Bainbridge area, Baker County, Punks Landing, the Marine Corps Ditch and on the Kinchafoonee Creek.

The last observation of the primate was last week.

“As of this time, the origin of the animal is still unknown,” DNR officials said Monday in a statement. “No nearby facilities permitted for primates are missing any animals, and the closest known established population is located in Silver Springs, Florida.”

Brent Howze, with the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division, said Saturday that wildlife officials had “pretty good evidence” of the species, and that there was no one in the area permitted to have one of the animals, nor had any been reported missing.

According to the National Primate Research Center at the University of Wisconsin, Rhesus macaques, also known as Rhesus monkeys, 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 only primates with a broader geographical distribution, the center says, are humans.

DNR officials sent out an alert late Friday that the primate was loose in the Albany area. They said that wildlife officials are continuing to gather information and will evaluate reported sightings to determine if follow-up actions are warranted.

Wildlife officials are also reminding those who may spot the primate not to approach it or try to handle it in any way.

“You should definitely keep your distance,” Howze advised.

Anyone who sees the animal is asked to call the DNR Game Management Office in Albany at (229) 430-4254 during normal business hours, or the State Operations Center at 1 (800) 241-4113 after 4:30 p.m. weekdays and on weekends.