A Surprising Encounter: A Monkey On A Car At The Airport

A man went to pick up his car from the airport and found an unexpected visitor—a monkey perched on top of his vehicle. This unusual and amusing incident was shared by a Reddit user known as u/disgruntledmarmoset, who goes by the name Geoffrey. At just 26 years old, Geoffrey's story quickly gained traction, earning over 5,800 upvotes on the subreddit "animalid." On October 14, he had just landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) after a flight from LaGuardia Airport in New York, not expecting anything out of the ordinary.

As Geoffrey approached the parking area, he was greeted not by his car but by a primate lounging atop it. "My car is kinda high and I wasn't expecting any surprises, so I didn't see him at first. I heard like a scratching sound and looked up and saw him. I was like, what the heck!" he shared with Newsweek. This encounter certainly turned his mundane airport visit into an unforgettable tale.

In his Reddit post, Geoffrey detailed his amusing attempt to deal with the curious monkey. "That's when I took the picture. I hit the lock button to see if the sound would make him run, but it didn't." The monkey, seemingly unfazed by Geoffrey's presence, remained perched on the driver's side of the car. However, Geoffrey was determined to shoo him away. "I opened and slammed [the door] to see if he’d run, and it worked. He scurried down over my windshield and hood and ran away, and that was it," he recounted. This quirky experience highlights the unexpected wildlife encounters that can happen in Florida.

Monkeys in Florida

Geoffrey's surprising experience is a reminder that Florida is home to several colonies of non-native monkeys. Over the years, the primate population in the state has significantly increased, with species like the Green Vervet monkey becoming quite common. The monkey that Geoffrey encountered has been identified by Redditors as one of these Vervet monkeys, which have managed to thrive in specific areas for decades.

In fact, one colony of Vervet monkeys has been living near Fort Lauderdale for over 80 years. These monkeys originally escaped from the Dania Chimp Farm in the 1940s, a facility once known as the Anthropoid Ape Research Foundation (ARFF), where they were used for entertainment and research purposes. Today, this project serves as a sanctuary, protecting the free-ranging apes in the area.

Interestingly, the presence of these monkeys has sparked lively discussions among locals and visitors alike. Many people are unaware that Florida has such an unusual wildlife population, leading to amusing anecdotes and encounters similar to Geoffrey's. This incident also sheds light on the broader topic of invasive species and the unique ecosystems present within the state.

Reddit Reacts: 'Only in Florida'

Geoffrey's post on Reddit sparked a lively conversation among users who shared their unexpected encounters with wildlife. Comments ranged from disbelief to humor, as many couldn't believe that a monkey could be so brazen as to perch on someone's car. One user expressed, "I thought seeing a coyote once in a while was scary," showcasing the unique experiences that Florida offers.

Another Redditor, using the name pbounds2, identified the monkey, stating, "Green Vervet monkey, invasive. Found this—they’ve been there for ~80 years." This revelation surprised many users, with one commenter quipping, "What the hell, Florida. Every week I learn about a new invasive species you have that’s been there for decades." Such responses highlight the quirky and often surprising nature of Florida's wildlife.

One local even chimed in with a fun fact, mentioning, "There's a large colony of them that hang out at the Fort Lauderdale Airport Park N Fly. They’re fun to go look at. Not sure on type though." These interactions demonstrate how the unexpected presence of wildlife can spark conversations and connections among people. As one user aptly summed up the experience, "That's amazing!! I love that they have people working to protect them. I had no idea there were monkeys in Florida. I’m shocked!"

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