The New Iberia Research Center reported on social media at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday that a Rhesus monkey escaped when the cage it was in malfunctioned.
The New Iberia Research Center reported on social media at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday that a Rhesus monkey escaped when the cage it was in malfunctioned.
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette New Iberia Research Center is searching for a monkey that escaped early Saturday during a cage failure.
According to a social media post at approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday, the missing monkey is a five-year-old male Rhesus macaque weighing approximately 12 pounds. It is part of a breeding group and carries no transmissible diseases.
The monkey was sighted on Sunday morning near the Iberia Parish’s SugArena before moving into a nearby wooded area.
Francois Villinger, director at the research center, said the monkey's behavior was very unusual because the animals are very social and prefer to stay with other monkeys. Apparently, this one decided to go exploring, he said at 4 p.m. Sunday.
The animal was born at the center, according to the post. The monkey is accustomed to people but is not a pet and should not be approached, NIRC officials advised.
Personnel from the center are working on recapturing the animal, Villinger said.
Anyone who locates the monkey should not attempt to approach, capture or corner it. Instead, call 201-0105 or 281-4075.
