Florida has been infiltrated by a group of herpes-ridden monkeys that have been described as 'feral' and are roaming across the northeast of the state, according to reports by NBC's First Coast News.
The group of feral primates have been seen in Silver Springs State Park, as well as other areas including Jacksonville, St. Johns, St. Augustine, Palatka, Welaka and Elkton.
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The monkeys were introduced to the area back in the 1930s by a local cruise operator, Colonel Tooey's Jungle Cruise, which released 12 monkeys over a series of years onto a man-made island inside Silver Springs State Park.
The monkeys have now reportedly evolved and have even apparently swum to freedom - and are now reproducing at alarming rates and exploring residential areas.
According to a 2018 survey by National Geographic, more than a quarter of the 300 feral macaques - an invasive species that is native to south and southeast Asia - carry herpes B.
University of Florida primate scientist Dr. Steve Johnson discussed the monkeys in an interview with First Coast News.
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"The potential ramifications are really dire," he said.
Johnson added: "A big male... That's an extremely strong, potentially dangerous animal."
Although they're riddled with an STD, the monkeys are reportedly not a threat to humans - despite appearing intimidating in appearance.
Greta Mealey, who works for DuMond Conservancy for Primates & Tropical Forests in Miami, also gave comment in an interview with First Coast News.
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She said: "They're not going to come up to us and interact with us. They would be more fearful."
However, residents of areas the band of monkeys have been seen in are more cautious.
One Julington Creek resident, Carrie Bennett, admitted to being wary of the monkeys.
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She said: "That is definitely a concern because I walk the dogs at like 5:30 in the morning and its pitch blackout.
"If they bit me, if they came after and bit you, you don't know what they have, what they're carrying."
While the monkeys are reportedly more fearful of humans, if in close contact they can present a health risk as they carry and shed the Herpes B virus, which is deemed to be fatal to humans.
Featured Image Credit: NBCTopics: World News, News, US News, Animals