Monkeys on the run after nature-defying swim

Fifteen monkeys are on the run after a mass breakout from a facility in Florida.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Gary Morse said the monkeys apparently escaped their island home at Lakeland by swimming across a pond – something they’re not supposed to be able to do.

Mr Morse said several teams are out looking for the social but docile Patas monkeys, and that they are no threat to humans.

The 11 adults and four juveniles are the personal pets of Lex Salisbury, the chief executive officer of Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.