When I packed up my life in New England and came to South Florida, I expected a lot of things: endless sunshine, the hum of the ocean, and maybe even an iguana or two sunning themselves along the marina docks.

What I didn’t expect?

A wild colony of monkeys (yes, monkeys) living just steps from the runways of Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport in Dania Beach.

It sounds like something out of a movie: planes roaring overhead while vervet monkeys leap across mangroves, scurry along fences, and disappear into the shadows of the parking lots. Yet, it’s real. And if you’ve ever caught a glimpse of them, you know just how surreal the scene feels – two worlds colliding in the most unlikely of places.

But here’s the part most people don’t realize: this isn’t a cute curiosity or some “fun Florida quirk.” It’s survival. And it hasn’t come easy.

A Colony Born from Escape

The vervet monkeys of Dania Beach didn’t just appear here. Decades ago, they escaped from a now‑closed primate research facility. Over time, they carved out a life in the mangroves and marshy edges of the city.

They’ve become local legends with names like Spok, Mama, Mikey, and Snow White. They’ve adapted, endured hurricanes, and even lived alongside highways and airport traffic. But being a non‑native species puts them in constant danger.

These monkeys face deadly challenges:

• Electrocution from power lines
• Being struck by cars
• Poaching and capture for the pet trade
• Euthanasia if injured, since state law doesn’t allow them to be released back into the wild

For years, the colony has lived on the edge and visible, beloved by many locals, but always one bad day away from tragedy.

A Sanctuary with a Mission

That’s where Dr. Missy Williams and the Dania Beach Vervet Project step in. Since 2016, this nonprofit has been working to give the monkeys something they’ve never had before: real safety.

Dr. Williams doesn’t see numbers. She sees individuals. She knows their names, their personalities, their family ties. And she’s leading the charge to build a sanctuary that will protect them from the dangers of city life.

The vision is incredible:

• Large enclosures tucked beside the mangroves
• Sky‑bridges connecting groups so they can move freely and naturally
• Veterinary facilities for treatment and care
• Hurricane‑safe shelters so they don’t face storms unprotected

The first enclosure is already built. And Spok who is a curious, brave, and a little mischievous monkey is the first to call it home.

The Tough Question: Saving Them Today, Ending Them Tomorrow?

There’s a catch. Every monkey that comes into the sanctuary is sterilized. That means the colony’s numbers won’t grow and eventually, the population will fade away. Wah wah wah wah waaaah.

It’s a heartbreaking trade‑off. On one hand, we want to preserve this remarkable troop, a living piece of local history. On the other, we can’t ignore the daily dangers they face living free among roads, power lines, and people who may not have their best interests at heart.

So, the sanctuary becomes both a safe haven and, in some ways, a gentle farewell. A promise that while they’re here, they’ll be cared for, respected, and allowed to live out their days with dignity.

What They Need Now

The Dania Beach Vervet Project has the land – leased from Hertz and Park n’ Fly – but building this sanctuary isn’t cheap. Right now, they’re seeking $20,000 for essential upgrades:

• Running electricity to power medical equipment.
• Expanding enclosures.
• Building hurricane‑proof shelters.

Without this support, the project can’t reach its full potential.

This isn’t some faceless conservation effort on the other side of the world. This is right here, in our backyard, in the shadow of the airport. These monkeys have lived in Dania Beach longer than most of us. And their future depends on whether we step up.

Why This Matters to Me

I’ve always believed that stories like this are about more than animals — they’re about us. About who we are when no one’s watching. About how we treat the vulnerable when they can’t advocate for themselves.

Maybe you’ve seen the monkeys while racing to catch a flight. Maybe you’ve heard about them and thought, “How strange.” But I’ll tell you what: standing there, watching Spok climb into his new sanctuary for the first time, it hits you. This is about compassion. About making sure a wild little community that never asked to be here still gets a fair shot at safety and dignity.

And honestly? After everything I’ve been through in my own life — losing a career, fighting battles I never asked for, trying to rebuild — I find myself rooting for them in a personal way. Because their fight for survival feels a lot like mine.

How You Can Help

The Dania Beach Vervet Project is making history right now, but they can’t do it alone. If this story resonates with you — if you believe, like I do, that compassion is worth fighting for — consider supporting their mission.

• Visit the Dania Beach Vervet Project website to learn more.
• Donate if you can — even small amounts help keep the lights on (literally).
• Share their story so more people know the monkeys of Dania Beach exist — and why they matter.

Because in a world where we’re losing so much of the wild, maybe saving a troop of cheeky airport‑side monkeys is exactly the kind of story we need.