There's a monkey running loose in Lakeland. No word on if it's one of them dreaded herpes monkeys.
But still.
If you happen to go outside and you think you spot a monkey, chances are that it is, in fact, a monkey.
See also: Herpes-Infected Monkeys Roaming Florida
Police say they began receiving reports of a monkey on the loose from folks who live in the Lake Gibson area of north Lakeland on Sunday.
Florida Fish and Wildlife says people are calling about a monkey the size of a fox squirrel or a chimp. Some residents say they've even heard it making monkey noises (or, as the report says, "animal calls").
The FWC has been looking through surveillance devices it's placed in the area, hoping for some footage of the elusive primate.
A Lake Gibson High School spokesperson said school administrators and teachers have been told to keep their eyes peeled for a monkey, which should be fun.
In addition to the surveillance, officials have been looking for tracks or paw/foot prints from the monkey. It seems like the varying reports haven't given the officers enough.
Of course, there haven't been any photos or any real confirmation that there's a monkey running around town. Kind of like a tiny Big Foot.
But the FWC treats these calls seriously, so it proceeds anyway.
Officials say that if someone sees the monkey, he can report it to the FWC at 1-888-404-FWCC.
Follow Chris Joseph on Twitter
Follow @NewTimesBroward
