Green monkeys brought from West Africa as pets aboard slave ships during the 1600s escaped into the Caribbean, where they multiplied into thousands and now destroy millions of dollars’ worth of crops every year

Green monkeys arrived in the Caribbean during the 1600s aboard European slave trade ships. These animals escaped captivity and established wild populations across several islands. They now cause significant monetary damage to agricultural crops annually. Managing these long-established invasive monkeys presents ongoing challenges for experts. Scientists study these monkeys as a unique natural experiment in evolution and adaptation.