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A famous TikTok monkey is in the crosshairs of controversy after scientists in Florida claimed the primate was stolen from a colony – rather than rescued from a lab as its owner claims.
The account, titled “Thabo and Ray,” features 31-year-old influencer Kim Raymond Feaste and his monkey Thabo on daily adventures in the car, in stores and in nature. The duo has amassed over 3.4 million followers and 133.1 million likes on the platform.
@thaboandray♬ Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun – Sophie
Feaste claims he rescued Thabo after the monkey's mother was killed in a Las Vegas lab. But Florida Atlantic University associate professor Dr. Deborah “Missy” Williams told local station Sun Sentinel that she doesn't believe that's the case – and she's now contacting animal rights organizations in the state.
Williams claims Feeste took the monkey from a colony in Dania Beach, Florida, which is near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The colony has about 40 monkeys, but they are not persecuted. The infant mortality rate is estimated to be 50%. The monkeys have roamed the area since the 1940s after being brought to the state from West Africa.
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“I am concerned for the monkey's welfare because I know he is not being properly cared for,” Williams told the Sun Sentinel. “[Monkeys] I need a lot of intellectual enrichment, healthy appetite and things like that. And I worry that if he develops this biting pattern he will be deemed a public danger, which could result in the animal being euthanized.”
Williams says a lab wouldn't voluntarily give a monkey to a good Samaritan, but would instead euthanize it.
Williams believes the monkey was taken from the Dania Beach troupe, and noted primatologist Bob Ingersoll agrees, according to the outlet. Other experts are divided.
Michelle Sinnott, PETA's director of captive animal law enforcement, does not believe Thabo was released from a lab or taken from the wild. She believes he was purchased from a breeder instead.
Feaste, meanwhile, vehemently denies the claims and has fired back in several TikTok videos in which he calls Williams a “stalker” and accuses her of trying to jeopardize his and Thabo's “safety.”
“My monkey was well cared for,” Feaste told the Sentinel. “We live in mansions and have a lot of money and lead a good life.”
@thaboandray
Debroah Missy Williams (aka Dr. Missy Williams) stalked me, threatened my life, beat me, paid people to stalk me, doxx me, slander my name, and more. PLEASE SEND THIS TO FBI
♬ Original sound – ???♂️? Thabo and Ray
Williams has filed complaints primarily with police across the country and with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“Williams pointed out that there are videos on the social media site [TikTok] “That Kim Raymond Feaste has a vervet monkey,” said an October 2023 report filed with police in Pulaski County, Arkansas, after Williams claimed that Feaste and Thabo were traveling through the area. “Williams stated that she believes the primate was stolen from a sanctuary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, approximately 4 years ago.
In March, Williams emailed Thabo clips to Florida Wildlife Conservation that she claimed came from a private investigator she had hired to track down Feaste and Thabo.
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The only way to find out Thabo's true origins is to have his DNA tested, but it doesn't look like Feaste or Williams will be able to do that any time soon.
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