Thanks, Tarzan

It was mid-January, high above an office building in Clearwater, a rhesus macaque monkey was causing quite a stir as it leapt from tree to tree.

Fish and Wildlife experts tried to wrap their heads around how to trap the monkey, but it escaped, eluding everyone. For Wildlife Refuge founder Vernon Yates, it was the beginning of a wild monkey chase.

"I've chased this monkey multiple times," Yates said.

Now, ten months later, Yates is hot on the monkey's trail again. Sunday, in Oldsmar, residents spotted the macaque scaling the side of an apartment building. Yates watched again as the monkey disappeared into the brush.

"I'm positive it's the same male monkey, and my experience would tell me he's probably one of them that came from Silver Springs," added Yates.

In Silver Springs, rhesus macaque monkeys roam free by the banks of the river. And no, they're not native to Florida. According to legend (and Yates) the monkeys are descendants of escapees from the set of the film 'Tarzan'. At least five 'Tarzan' films were made in Silver Springs in the 1930s and 40s.

This particular monkey, according to Yates, was likely banished from the group for challenging another male.

"If he was still in Asia where he belonged, he would pair up with some other single females and start his own troop," according to Yates.

But this is Florida, and instead of finding female monkey friends, this macaque has been dodging traffic.

"He is so smart. It's even been reported by police officers that he stops at the road and looks both directions on the road before he'll even cross the roads," Yates said.

If Yates is right, this monkey with the famous ancestors has been on a ten-month road trip, and no one but he knows where his next stop will be.

Florida Fish and Wildlife authorities say to call them if you spot the monkey. They say while the monkey may seem timid, it can be dangerous and shouldn't be approached.