Colbert can use his mokey on the lamb again`

[liberal N proud]

After daring escape, monkeys on the lam
People-shy patas swam across 60-foot moat on wildlife preserve

LAKELAND, Fla. - A dozen monkeys that escaped from a wildlife preserve during the weekend have all the ingredients to start a successful colony in the wild, including mature males, reproducing females and a dominant troop leader.

The people-shy patas monkeys have thousands of acres of sod and ranch land to roam in northern Polk County, even the sprawling 870 square miles of the Green Swamp if they get that far. And they are among the fastest of primates, clocked at up to 35 mph.

But success in the wild for this group means avoiding unfamiliar predators and search parties. So don't look for this colony to follow the lead of rhesus monkeys that escaped captivity and have been living in the wild around Silver Springs since the 1930s.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24263643/

[onehandle]

1. Love the Monkey on the Lamb graphic!

Makes my wife laugh like crazy.

[Mountainman]

2. Aren't there wild cats like leopards or something there?

I use to visit the area with my ex wife and her family and vaguely remember them telling me about big wild cats being around. Not to mention poisonous snakes and gators. I may be all wet here, pun intended.

[nashville_brook]

5. there's the native Florida Panther, but it's very rare.

[RaleighNCDUer]

9. They'd be in much more danger from escaped Burmese pythons

which have also established themseves in the wild. Florida has become a wonderland for escaped exotics.

[nashville_brook]

3. patas monkey pic

[liberal N proud]

6. I am thinking that they may be hard to spot in the Florida wilderness

[nashville_brook]

7. i'm kinda hoping they get away

we saw the Rhesus troop(s) on the Silver River not too long ago, and they seemed quite healthy and happy.

[meegbear]

4. Ah yes ... mokey on the lamb

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. Patas are excellent at breaking out!

Here in SF, we had two Patas breakouts from the zoo -- one guy ended up in Golden Gate park and evaded capture for weeks, iirc.