Another Monkey Sighting In CA

The Marin Humane Society has received two reports of simian sightings over the past week, and spokeswoman Carrie Harrington said something may really be out there.

It all began at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, when a school bus driver reported seeing a monkey darting across the road on Captain Nurse Circle near Bolling Drive, Harrington said.

The school bus driver said he was absolutely sure it was monkey, with a foot-and-a-half-long tail, she said.

The Humane Society was inclined to laugh it off as a squirrel, or perhaps a cat or small dog. But then a woman called about 5 p.m. Tuesday to report that her 11-year-old daughter had seen a monkey in the same area Thursday, Harrington said.

The girl said, "Mom, look, there's a monkey over there," but the woman didn't see it, Harrington said.

The girl said the monkey was dark brown and the size of a bottle of soda.

Marin County animal control officers have been patrolling the area but haven't seen the animal, Harrington said.

She noted that is illegal in California to own a monkey as a pet. "If it's a lost pet, perhaps the owner doesn't feel comfortable coming forward," she said.

Harrington said it probably isn't a wild monkey, as Marin County hardly counts as a natural habitat for the animals.

"And it's so cold right now," she added. "Of utmost concern to us would be the welfare of the animal."

She said anyone who sees a monkey should call the Humane Society at (415) 883-4621.

E-mail Henry K. Lee at hlee@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page C - 2 of the San Francisco Chronicle

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