For decades, a colony of African vervet monkeys has thrived in an unlikely habitat: the mangrove forests and parking lots surrounding Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Dania Beach, Florida. These aren’t native animals; they’re the descendants of escapees from a biomedical research facility nearly 80 years ago. Today, their existence is precarious, caught between the affections of some locals and the policies designed to eradicate invasive species.
The Unexpected Arrival
The story begins in 1947, when roughly 50 monkeys fled a primate research center run by Leila Roosevelt Denis, a relative of President Theodore Roosevelt. The facility imported primates from West Africa for use in polio, tuberculosis, and even early space flight studies. While most were recaptured, about 15 vanished into the surrounding mangroves, establishing a breeding population that persists to this day. The colony’s genetic origins were confirmed in 2019 by researcher Missy Williams, who discovered the monkeys are Chlorocebus sabaeus, or green monkeys, native to West Africa.
A Beloved but Unwanted Species
Despite their non-native status, the Dania Beach monkeys have become part of the local culture. Some residents feed them, local businesses have adopted them as mascots, and they are even mentioned in church sermons. However, Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) classifies them as an invasive species, citing potential negative impacts on native wildlife, ecosystems, and agriculture. The FWC’s stance is clear: non-native species do not belong in Florida’s environment.
The Extinction Threat
The monkeys face a constant stream of threats: vehicle collisions, electrocution, and the illegal exotic pet trade. Williams’ research suggests the Dania Beach colony could vanish within a century unless intervention occurs. Some locals, including Williams herself, are now advocating for protection, directly challenging state and federal policies that prioritize eradication or management of invasive species.
The Science of Invasions
The situation highlights a broader issue: the global spread of species through human activity. As far back as 5,000 years ago, humans have transported animals to new environments, accelerating in recent centuries with the advent of air and sea travel. Invasive species can have devastating consequences, as seen with the American chestnut blight, a fungal disease that functionally extinguished a dominant tree species in the U.S.
Invasive species cost the U.S. economy around $21 billion annually in agricultural losses and management expenses. Florida is a hotspot for non-native species, home to over 600, with at least 139 established breeding populations.
A Sanctuary Emerges
In 2022, Williams opened a 3.5-acre sanctuary near the original colony, providing refuge for both rescued monkeys and some born in the wild. The sanctuary’s existence is a direct challenge to the prevailing approach of eradication, offering an alternative path forward for these unexpected Floridians.
The fate of the Dania Beach vervet monkeys rests on how they are perceived: as valued residents or as invasive threats. The decision, and who makes it, will determine whether these primates survive or slowly fade into extinction.
