| EVEN MORE MONKEYING AROUND IN OLD HOMOSASSA |
| Island Landmark Gets New Inhabitants [Released on Tuesday, September 12, 2006] OLD HOMOSASSA, Fla. – The quiet fishing village of Old Homosassa is known in many circles for its acclaimed angling, gentle manatees, waterfront accommodations and quaint cracker architecture. But as any local will tell you, Old Homosassa just wouldn’t be Old Homosassa without Monkey Island. The small isle sits in the middle of the Homosassa River, across from the Yardarm Lounge, Riverside Crab House and Homosassa Riverside Resort. Along with the playful primates for which it is named, Monkey Island has become an area icon in its own right. And it has just gotten even more bananas. The Homosassa Riverside Resort, which owns the island, recently added two new spider monkeys, Eve, 5-1/2, and Emily, aged 4-1/2. They join fellow spider monkeys Ralph and Sassy, both roughly 26 years old, and their 15-year-old offspring, Ebony. Spider monkeys mature at about 5 years of age and can live up to 33 years. And while they do not swim— keeping Monkey Island’s residents safely in their Homosassa home—spider monkeys possess great agility and a uniquely powerful tail. The origin of Monkey Island dates back well before the days of its current inhabitants. In the 1960s, G.A. “Mr. Homosassa” Furgason ran a zoological attraction in what is now the Homosassa Wildlife State Park. Today, the park draws visitors who want to see authentic Florida flora and fauna. But the old park focused on imported plants and exotic animals—including a group of monkeys prone to escape and candy-stealing high jinks. So when Furgason built up a rocky patch in the river that had plagued boaters, inspiration struck. He relocated the mischievous monkeys, and a new attraction was born—much to the delight of countless visitors over the last four decades. Phone: 352-628-9305 |
Close Window
