http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2010 ... g+backyardElusive monkey spotted in St. Petersburg backyard PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Bay area's mystery monkey has been spotted everywhere from Hillsborough County to Pinellas County, and now another St. Petersburg resident had a sighting this weekend.
Rick Coffey says he saw the macaque in his backyard, located on Serpentine Drive, and that the monkey was hungry.
"Noticed something cat-like," says Coffey. "Started to eat out of one of the bird feeders, mouthfuls of seed."
According to Coffey, the monkey returned a second time 45 minutes later to steal more food out of the bird feeder.
Coffey's close encounter is just one of dozens claimed here in the Bay area.
The monkey has risen to elusive fame with thousands of followers on Facebook, and a mention on "The Colbert Report" on Comedy Central.
Wildlife experts want residents to be careful when near the monkey, which could be carrying diseases like Hepatitis B.
Officials with Florida Fish and Wildlife said they worry that all the jokes are starting to undermine the situation.
They also point out the monkey is in danger as well, and that it needs the company of other monkeys.
More about the monkey:
Monkey sighting update
Home video of the monkey
Rick Coffey describes the sighting
View map of monkey sightings
Follow the Mystery Monkey on Facebook
Map it - follow the monkey around the Bay area
Previous monkey stories
