Monkey on the loose in Florida

ORANGE PARK, Fla., July 3 (UPI) -- Florida wildlife officials said a monkey has repeatedly been sighted in Clay County but authorities have thus far been unable to capture it.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said it has received photos of what is believed to be a Japanese or snow macaque in the OakLeaf Plantation community in the city of Orange Park, the (Jacksonville) Florida Times-Union reported Thursday.

"Do not attempt to capture or trap this animal yourself," commission investigator Lt. David Lee said. "We also ask that no one attempts to feed it. The monkey has large canine teeth and can inflict a painful bite."

Lee said the agency has obtained a trap from the Jacksonville Humane Society that it plans to set in a wooded area away from residences.

"We're concerned about the monkey, to be sure, but right now public safety is at the forefront," Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Karen Parker said.

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