ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. – Animal control officers set up cameras in the backyard of an Isle of Wight home after homeowners claimed they saw spider monkeys in their back yard.
Homeowner Amanda Jones Williams said she caught three monkeys on video last Wednesday morning after she and her son saw them climbing a tree. In the video, you can’t make out what it is, but you do see something move from branch to branch in a fruit tree. At one point, several plums fall to the ground.
Williams’ son said he saw two large adult monkeys and what looked to be a baby monkey.
According to wildlife officials, Spider monkeys are domestic animals, but exotic to the United States and especially to Virginia. The monkeys, officials said, are legendary for carrying massive diseases.
This is a generic photo, NOT a photo of the specific monkey spotted in Virginia.
Isle of Wight County Animal Control and Bear Path Acres community managers set up traps in the Williams’ backyard. Nearly a week after traps were set up, they still sit empty and untouched.
Bear Path Acres’ CEO said she spent hours searching the woods and talking to other neighbors, but found no evidence of monkeys.
The family said you often hear a very distinct noise coming from the trees out back. Williams said she believed the sounds are coming from the animals and that they are still close by.
