Florida's 'Mystery Monkey' Finally Caught

Newly named 'Cornelius' is probably headed to a sanctuary
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 25, 2012 3:47 PM CDT
Updated Oct 28, 2012 7:47 AM CDT

A monkey who eluded Florida wildlife officials for nearly four years and became a sort-of unofficial neighborhood pet is on the lam no more. The Tampa Bay Times reports that animal-control officers finally caught the "mystery monkey" Wednesday with the help of a tranquilizer gun. Assuming the newly named "Cornelius" checks out fine after a 30-day quarantine, he'll probably be sent to a sanctuary with other monkeys.

"It's bittersweet" says one neighbor after the capture near Lake Maggiore. The monkey had bitten her three weeks ago, prompting the on-again, off-again search to get serious. Now the big question is whether Cornelius will mix in well with monkeys after years of living alone and among humans. One thing seems clear: He's overweight from too much human junk food. (More strange stuff stories.)

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