Cornelius, Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay, headed to new home in Dade City
Nicknamed Cornelius, the Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay, is headed to a permanant home at Dade City’s Wild Things.
Cornelius, the Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay, is finding a new home at Dade City’s Wild Things
After an attack in October the longtime resident of St. Petersburg was ordered to be captured. Wildlife expect Vernon Yates nabbed the primate after a three-hour stakeout near a wooded area in a south St. Pete neighborhood.
Monday it was reported that Cornelius has a new home in the nearby Dade City, where he can live alongside otehr macaques.
“I think he’s cautious and nervous a little bit just because he’s not sure if someone out here has that real dart gun and you know how smart he is. He’s a very intelligent monkey,” said Kathy Stearns, with Dade City’s Wild Things.
Cornelius was on the run for about three years. “This is probably the most intelligent animal I’ve ever had to go after and capture,” said Vernon Yates, with Wildlife Rescue and Rehab.
Added concern is that the monkey is infected with herpes B, so zoo keepers must be extra cautious.
“There is actually a protocol area with all the safety gear we have to use. That includes the goggles, the suit, the rubber boots, the foot washing and we actually have our eye wash, so if anything did happen you actually have only two minutes to start cleaning,” Stearns said.
The Dade City wildlife sanctuary has now setup a new fan page and is receiving donations to care for the animal, building him an appropriate habitat and entertaining new guests:
SUPPORT CORNELIUS!
In order to raise funds for the building and maintenance of a comfortable and safe habitat for “Cornelius”, Tampa Bay’s Mystery Monkey, we are offering memberships to the Mystery Monkey Fan Club! Be among the first to join and reap the benefits and satisfaction of helping Cornelius thrive!
Get more information or make a donation by visiting their page here.
