Missing vervet monkey spotted in Ft. Lauderdale neighborhood may belong to Dania Beach sanctuary, experts say

A female African vervet monkey, identified by the Dania Beach Monkey Sanctuary as a missing adult named Maddie, has been spotted across central Fort Lauderdale. According to sanctuary director Dr. Missy Williams, the primate has appeared in Riverside Park and Rio Vista after disappearing from the sanctuary’s colony.

The primate recently entered a backyard in the Riverside Park neighborhood, where it accepted a banana from a six-year-old girl named Myah. Myah’s mother filmed the encounter, and the first-grader described the event to CBS News Miami as “the craziest thing ever.”

Residents report the monkey has been climbing trees, moving along seawalls, and eating mangoes throughout the area.

How did the monkey arrive in Fort Lauderdale?

Dr. Missy Williams believes the monkey is Maddie, an adult female aged seven or eight. Williams stated it remains a mystery why the animal left the Dania Beach population.

One theory suggests human interference. Williams noted that someone may have trapped the monkey, found they could not care for her, and subsequently released her.

Before arriving in central Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods, Williams reported that Maddie was spotted near the Fort Lauderdale Beach Marriott and at a cemetery in Rio Vista.

Did You Know? The Dania Beach Monkey Sanctuary cares for a colony of African vervet monkeys that descended from animals originally linked to a research facility and roadside zoo that operated decades ago.

What is the origin of the Dania Beach monkey colony?

The sanctuary operates near the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Its population is rooted in animals from a defunct research facility and roadside zoo.

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Sanctuary staff are now focused on the operational goal of safely reuniting Maddie with the rest of the colony.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that the transition of a sanctuary animal into a residential environment creates a complex recovery scenario. The primary stake is the animal’s safety, as professional retrieval is far less risky than amateur capture attempts by untrained residents.

How can residents help reunite the monkey with its sanctuary?

Wildlife experts urge the public not to attempt to capture the monkey. Such actions could potentially jeopardize the safety of the animal or the residents.

Instead, the Dania Beach Monkey Sanctuary requests that anyone who spots the primate contact them via email at [email protected].

A successful recovery may depend on timely reports from the community as the monkey continues to move through the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the monkey believed to be?
According to Dr. Missy Williams, the monkey is likely Maddie, a 7- or 8-year-old adult female African vervet monkey from the Dania Beach Monkey Sanctuary.

Where has the monkey been sighted?
The monkey has been spotted near the Fort Lauderdale Beach Marriott, at a cemetery in Rio Vista, and in the Riverside Park neighborhood.

What should people do if they see the monkey?
Experts urge residents not to try to capture the animal and instead email the Dania Beach Monkey Sanctuary at [email protected].

Do you think urban wildlife sanctuaries should implement stricter containment measures to prevent animals from entering residential areas?