ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Department of Health has ended its search for vervet monkeys reportedly seen in the northern part of the city and is now focusing on enforcing local ordinances that prohibit the ownership of non-human primates.
The decision was announced Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, following several resident reports of monkey sightings beginning Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, near a northern city park. Despite deploying Animal Care and Control officers and increasing patrols after additional reports on Jan. 9, officials were unable to locate the monkeys.
The St. Louis Department of Public Health said the city is investigating how the animals arrived in St. Louis and whether the wild animal ordinance was violated. The St. Louis Department of Public Health also said that enforcement of the ordinance would be waived for anyone who comes forward and turns in a monkey…