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State of Florida: Let the Silver River monkeys live!
  1. Signatures
    541 out of 1,000
    Petitioning
    1. Silver Springs theme park (+ 3 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Silver Springs theme park
      • Silver River State Park (Christine Dorrier, Assistant Park Manager)
      • Silver River State Park (Sally Lieb, Park Manager)
      • Florida Park Service (Donald Forgione, Director)
  2. Created By
    Animal Rights Foundation of Florida
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

For over 70 years, rhesus monkeys have lived along the banks of the Silver River in Central Florida. The monkeys were introduced into the area by a tour boat operator in the 1930s. Spotting the monkeys can be a highlight of canoe trips in the Silver River State Park, or during glass-bottomed boat tours at the adjacent Silver Springs theme park. The monkeys have lived a peaceful existence in the wild, but the State of Florida considers them to be "nonnative" and allows trapping of monkeys.

In early 2012, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida learned that monkeys were being trapped for sale to a company that provides animals to research laboratories.

Photo of monkeys at Silver River State Park, by Ann E. Hamilton

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Let the Silver River monkeys live!

Greetings,

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Florida Park Service.

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Let the Silver River monkeys live!

It is a tragedy that wild monkeys living along the Silver River are torn from their families and forest homes and sold to research and testing laboratories.

Once wild and free, these sensitive and intelligent animals will end their lives in the isolation of a laboratory. Please end the trapping of monkeys for the research industry at Silver River State Park and other state lands.

There are methods of population control that are humane and effective, such as the trapping, sterilization and return of monkeys. In addition, rules against feeding or harassing monkeys along the river should be strictly enforced.

The Silver River monkeys are appreciated by both locals and tourists. Please, don't allow the trapping program to tarnish the image of Florida's state parks.
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Sincerely,

[Your name]

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