St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2007

CONTACT:

Theresa Williams, Director, Division of Humane Services                                                                636-949-7366
Cameron Satterfield, Public Information Officer                                                                               636-949-7408

Monkey on the Loose in St. Charles County

St. Charles County, MO - Animal control officers with the St. Charles County Division of Humane Services are working to locate and capture a pet monkey.

The female capuchin escaped from its owner and was last seen in the Wheeler Canyon subdivision south of Highways 94 and 364. While the monkey is accustomed to contact with humans, anyone who spots the animal is asked not to approach it. Instead, call Animal Control at (636) 949-7387 during normal business hours, or call St. Charles County Dispatch and Alarm at (636) 949-3042 after hours.

The monkey in question has a dark brown head, legs, tail and chest. Its back is a light tan color. The average capuchin stands 20 inches tall and weighs about six pounds. Like most monkeys indigenous to the Western Hemisphere, capuchins are active during the day and spend most of their time in trees and searching for food. Capuchins sleep wedged in tree branches at night.

Because this particular monkey was a pet, there is little worry about disease transmission to humans. However, because the animal is out of its element and may be scared, there is concern that it may bite people.

For more information about the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment, call (636) 949-7400 or visit www.scchealth.org.

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