Investigators and animal experts from U.S. Fish and Wildlife and other law enforcement agencies are at a residence in Tillman’s Corner — an unincorporated area of Mobile County southwest of the City of Mobile — because of reports that around 15 monkeys are living on the residential property.

The investigators have come back a second time today, this time armed with a search warrant and wearing protective gear.

There are four cages adjacent to the home where the monkeys apparently live. The residence and cages are at a Schimpfs Lane address in a residential neighborhood.

Neighbors say that monkeys ride with the homeowners on golf carts.

It is not clear what laws may have been violated by the presence of the monkeys. State and local laws governing inhumane treatment of animals and vicious acts by animals could apply to monkeys, as to most any kind of animals. Federal jurisdiction is not clear.

There is no indication yet as to whether the current law enforcement interest in the property and the monkeys is related to a previous incident earlier this year at the Tillman’s Corner Starbucks.

A Tillman’s Corner woman had at least two monkeys loose inside her automobile when she went through the drive-through of the Starbucks. One of the monkeys jumped through the car window and into the Starbucks ordering window.

It attacked an employee who suffered minor but frightening injuries. Another employee pulled the monkey off the victim.

The owner of the monkey was cited with two municipal violations and fined $25 per citation.

There is no mention at the time of this report as to whether the current incident involved the same monkey and the same owner. 

Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]