Monkey care getting costly for CMPD Animal Care & Control

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Animal care officers continue to spend a lot of time and money caring for a Macaque monkey.

In March, the monkey, Carter, was spotted running free in the parking lot of Carolinas Medical Center-University.

Police said the monkey bit a hospital employee before he was captured and taken to CMPD Animal Care and Control.

Thursday morning, WBTV stopped by the center to get an update on the situation.

Shelter manager for CMPD Animal Care and Control, Josh Fisher, said that his staff members have to make two grocery trips a week to get food and supplies for the monkey.

“Each trip can cost forty dollars,” Fisher said. “We get everything from bananas to peas and other types of fruit. Purina also makes special food for monkeys.”

Fisher said taxpayer dollars are being spent to keep the monkey fed.

There is another unusual thing about Carter's care. He has to watch a movie every day for brain stimulation.

“Ice Age is his favorite,” Fisher said. “But it really does just place a heavy burden on our staff and makes it hard to take care of all the other pets that are here.”

Carter is currently being held in isolation until medical tests are complete and his owners complete the “legal process,” WBTV was told.

Officials would not comment on the legal investigation, as it is an ongoing investigation.

However, it is illegal to have exotic animals, like Carter, within Mecklenburg County.

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