Rhesus monkey loose in Southwest Georgia gets shy

ALBANY — A small primate believed to be a Rhesus macaque that has been seen in wooded areas from Bainbridge to Plains apparently has gone incognito.

Melissa Cummings, communications and outreach specialist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said Friday that there had been no sightings of the Rhesus monkey since it was seen near Plains leading into the Labor Day weekend.

Before that, DNR wildlife officials were getting reports of the monkey being spotted at various times along a nearly 100-mile stretch along the Flint River from Bainbridge to the Smithville-Americus and Plains areas. It has been seen — an occasionally photographed — from the Kinchafoonee Creek and Lake Chehaw south to Dougherty, Mitchell, Baker and Decatur counties.

DNR officials have been concerned the fall hunting seasons could place humans in close proximity to the wooded areas where the primate (or primates, since DNR officials haven’t ruled out that there’s more than one of the animals in the area) has been. Archery deer season is under way with primitive firearms season set to start Oct. 15 and regular firearms hunting a week later. The first part of dove season wraps up today and reopens Oct. 8.

One concern is health related. Rhesus macaques can carry the Herpes B virus, which is harmless to the animal, if a human catches the virus, 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 no one should approach or attempt to handle the primate, which is a wild animal, not a pet. The 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.

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.