NEED TO KNOW
Multiple monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis, city officials confirmed on Jan. 8
As of Jan. 13, the primates are still at large, with AI-generated sightings making it more difficult to confirm details
All non-human primates are prohibited in St. Louis, but anyone who turns in one of the monkeys will not face legal repercussions, officials said
It sounds like the plot of a science fiction movie, but it's real life: There are monkeys running around the streets of St. Louis, and officials are not sure where they came from.
The earliest confirmed reports of primates roaming the Missouri city emerged on Thursday, Jan. 8, with officials unsure of the animals' origins, local NBC affiliateKSDKreported, citing the city's Department of Health, and Animal Care and Control division.
As of Tuesday, Jan. 13, the primates are reportedly still on the loose, and officials are still not sure where they came from, according to a later report fromKSDK.
Justen Hauser, environmental health bureau chief at the St. Louis Department of Health, previously confirmed that there were "multiple monkeys are on the loose" near O'Fallon Park in a statement obtained byThe Guardian. Initial sightings suggested there were four monkeys, but Hauser said officials were unable to confirm the exact number.
While first confirming reports of the loose critters — which a St. Louis Zoo expert identified as vervet monkeys, according toNBC News— Hauser admitted that the situation was unprecedented: "This is the first time we've had a situation dealing with monkeys at large in the city of St. Louis."
Officers with the Department of Health attempted to locate the primates near the park where they were first spotted on both Thursday, Jan. 8, and Friday, Jan. 9 to no avail, according to NBC News.
"We are working to get an idea of where they may be hiding or seeking food," Hauser said, according to NBC News. "We are engaging with partner agencies that are properly trained and equipped to safely capture these animals. Once captured, the monkeys will be transported to a facility certified to care for exotic animals."
The St. Louis Department of Health did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment, nor did the city's Animal Care and Control division.
As varied reports of the primates emerged on social media, Hauser also issued a warning about AI-generated images, and said that the faux sightings have made it harder to confirm the details of the unprecedented situation.
"Many unverified or AI-generated posts have contributed to confusion about whether animals are still loose," the environmental health bureau chief said, according to KSDK.
Department of Health spokesperson Willie Springer echoed this in a statement obtained byCBS News.
"It's been a lot in regard to AI and what's genuine and what's not," the department spokesperson said before adding: "People are just having fun. Like I don't think anyone means harm."
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As reports — AI-generated and otherwise — of monkey sightings swirl online, a report of a loose goat in the streets of St. Louis also emerged on social media, according toFOX 2. The report is unconfirmed.
Exotic pets, including "all non-human primates," are prohibited in St. Louis city limits, according toSt. Louis Animal Care and Control. But Hauser said that anyone who comes forward to turn in an illegal monkey will not face legal repercussions, according to KSDK.
"If you have secured one of these animals, the department of health will be waiving any charges or fines that pertain to prohibited animals in the city," the environmental health bureau chief said, "so that these monkeys can be safely and humanely turned in."
The department warned St. Louis residents that the seemingly escaped primates "may be unpredictable or aggressive under stress," and should not be approached, per NBC News.
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