KINGSTON, Jamaica — Invasive species have triggered a public safety alert in Jamaica this week, after non-native monkeys were documented and captured in multiple communities across the parish of St Elizabeth, prompting the country’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to call for extreme public caution.
Following confirmation of the sightings, NEPA released an official statement identifying the animals as white-faced capuchin monkeys, a species that is not indigenous to Jamaica’s ecosystems. The agency outlined a range of serious risks tied to the monkeys’ unauthorized presence: the primates can carry zoonotic pathogens capable of spreading to humans and domestic livestock, they disrupt local biodiversity by outcompeting native species for resources, and they pose a direct threat to agricultural crop production that supports local livelihoods.
To prevent accidental exposure or harm, NEPA has issued a clear directive: the public must not approach, handle, or attempt to capture any of the animals on their own. Early reports of sightings and captures have come from six St Elizabeth communities: Lacovia, Elgin, Mountainside, Newell, Hounslow, and Malvern. Viral clips circulating across Jamaican social media platforms show groups of up to three monkeys, with unconfirmed reports indicating at least one animal has already been captured by local residents and may still be held privately.
In response to the incident, NEPA has assembled a multi-agency response team that includes Jamaica’s Veterinary Services Division, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and Hope Zoo. The partnership is working to locate all of the unregistered primates, secure them safely, and transfer the animals to quarantine facilities for mandatory veterinary health assessments. Agency representatives have also collaborated directly with local community leaders to coordinate response efforts and spread public safety messaging.
Beyond the risks posed by the monkeys themselves, NEPA has issued an additional warning about potential illicit activity linked to the sightings. The agency is urging residents to be wary of individuals who falsely claim to represent government authorities in order to gain access to the captured monkeys for illegal private trade. Under Jamaica’s existing wildlife regulations, the importation, private possession, and unlicensed trade of protected wildlife are criminal offenses, most often tied to transnational illicit wildlife trafficking networks. Violations of the Endangered Species (Protection, Conservation and Regulation of Trade) Act carry maximum fines of up to JMD $2 million for convicted offenders.
NEPA is asking any member of the public with information about the current location of the monkeys, or about how the animals entered Jamaica, to contact the agency directly, reach out to the Veterinary Services Division, or file a report with their local police station.