Missouri Wildlife Rescuer Captures Escaped Capuchin Monkey in Home Garage
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — A routine call about a monkey sighting in a St. Louis-area homeowner’s garage turned into a surprising encounter for Michael Beran, a seasoned wildlife rescuer and owner of the Wildlife Command Center in Imperial, Missouri. Beran, who frequently receives reports of primates in urban areas, initially doubted the claim until a FaceTime video confirmed the presence of a live capuchin monkey.
“Look, I get calls about monkeys all the time,” Beran told KSDK-TV. “‘I just saw a monkey in Forest Park, I just saw a monkey in my apartment,’ so when I got the call there’s a monkey in the garage, I was like, ‘Yeah, right.'” But when the caller showed the animal on video, Beran was stunned. “For the first time in 60 years, it was actually a monkey,” he said.
The capuchin monkey, affectionately compared by the caller to the famous character from the television show Friends, had slipped into the homeowner’s garage. Beran arrived promptly and described the capture as a delicate but smooth process. Initially, the monkey resisted being coaxed into a dog crate, but when it leapt onto the homeowner’s shoulder and slipped into a laundry room, the confined space made it easier for Beran to safely secure the animal.
“You just kind of control them in a way they don’t feel threatened,” Beran explained to the Jefferson County Leader. “I was able to get it into a carrier safely.”
Shortly after the capture, authorities received a 911 call reporting a missing monkey named Chico. Verification with the Missouri Department of Agriculture confirmed that Chico’s owner held the proper permits for the primate, allowing for the animal’s legal possession and safe return.
Missouri law regulates exotic pet ownership through the Missouri Department of Agriculture, which oversees permits and ensures that animals like capuchin monkeys are kept under proper care and conditions. The department’s involvement was crucial in confirming Chico’s ownership and facilitating his return.
Beran’s experience highlights the occasional challenges wildlife professionals face when exotic pets escape into residential areas. While calls about monkeys are common, actual sightings of live primates remain rare in the region. The successful resolution of this incident underscores the importance of responsible exotic animal ownership and the readiness of wildlife responders.
For more information on exotic animal regulations and wildlife rescue efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers resources on safe handling and legal requirements.
As for Chico, the capuchin monkey is now safely back home, and Beran remains vigilant for future calls — though he hopes the next one might be a little less surprising.
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