"Multiple monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis, and AI-generated images are complicating the effort to find them. The Vervet monkeys were first spotted Thursday near a park in the northern part of the city, prompting "rumor after rumor," said city Department of Health spokesperson Willie Springer. It's unclear who owns the monkeys, how they got loose or exactly how many there are."
""It's been a lot in regard to AI and what's genuine and what's not," Springer said. "People are just having fun. Like I don't think anyone means harm." The largest number people have reported seeing is four, Springer said. People aren't allowed to own the animals in the city, so Springer is doubtful that anyone will come forward to claim them."
Vervet monkeys are loose in northern St. Louis after being first spotted near a park. Ownership, origin and exact number remain unclear; the largest reported number is four. AI-generated images and fake photos have circulated online, complicating verification and prompting rumors. Animal control is coordinating with primate experts at the St. Louis Zoo to locate and capture the animals. Residents are urged to avoid approaching the monkeys and to call authorities for assistance. Vervets are native to sub-Saharan Africa, weigh about 7 to 17 pounds, and can be intelligent, social, unpredictable or aggressive when stressed. Owning them is prohibited in the city.
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