NEPA investigating monkey presence in St Elizabeth, warns public against handling animal

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is advising the public to exercise caution following reports of monkeys being spotted and captured in St Elizabeth. NEPA says the animals have been identified as white-faced capuchin monkeys, a species that is not native to the island. In a media release on Wednesday, the agency said the presence of non-native primates poses a significant concern for Jamaica’s ecosystems, agricultural sector, and public health.