There’s a monkey on the loose in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
The Shawsheen Animal Hospital posted on Facebook earlier today to warn citizens about a monkey that is believed to have escaped a home running free. It was last seen near their location.
“DO NOT touch the monkey! Monkeys can be dangerous and can carry herpes B virus, which can be fatal to humans,” the hospital wrote in the post.
Tewksbury officials, said you should avoid all contact if you happen to see the monkey.
“I don’t think there is any general concern for the public if there is just a monkey loose but, if you’re going to try to approach it that could be problematic,” an official said. “Some species of monkeys, and being that we don’t know what species this monkey is, can carry what’s known as herpes B which is encephalitis, which is fatal to humans.”
It is illegal to own a monkey in Massachusetts. That is likely why nobody has come forward to claim it.
Anyone who sees the animal is asked to contact the
Tewksbury Police Department at 978-851-7373.
— Tewksbury Police (@TewksburyPD) May 20, 2020