CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A monkey slightly scratched a security guard Wednesday at the Carolinas Medical Center in the University area, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department report.
Animal Control responded to a call for service around 12:08 p.m. in the parking lot of the medical center.
Channel 9 obtained video of what appears to be the monkey at CMC University on Wednesday.
It was shot by Instagram user marktheproblem.
CLICK HERE to view the video on Instagram.
According to Animal Control, the Rhesus Macaque monkey had been sitting inside a car that was parked in a visitor's parking lot at CMC- University.
The monkey managed to escape from the vehicle and was later caught by a hospital maintenance worker.
Hospital officials said the monkey scratched the worker before it escaped again.
A police officer captured Carter, the Capuchin monkey, Thursday afternoon with the help of a family member of the owner.
The monkey was spotted in the same hospital parking lot it escaped from Wednesday.
Carter was safely taken to the Animal Care and Control facility and placed in an isolation area until the county health department determines the best rabies quarantine or testing protocol.
In a March 2014 incident involving the monkey, police said the owner failed to produce the monkey for seizure as it was violating a city ordinance that prohibited an exotic animal in city limits.
A search warrant was issued for the monkey to be seized as the owner was unwilling to voluntarily turn over the item.
The hospital released the following statement:
“Yesterday, Carolinas HealthCare System University was visited by a small monkey that apparently escaped from a car parked in our visitor’s parking lot. The monkey never entered the hospital and was apprehended outside by a hospital maintenance worker who placed it in a bin until animal control arrived and took possession of the animal.
“The maintenance worker was slightly scratched by the monkey and is receiving appropriate treatment. At some point thereafter, the monkey again escaped and headed for a wooded area adjacent to hospital grounds. Animal Control conducted a search of the wooded area yesterday and again this morning. At this time, it is unknown if the pet’s owner has retrieved it. Hospital staff remains vigilant in case the animal reappears on hospital grounds.”
Animal Control released the following statement on the monkey:
"The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Animal Care & Control Division received a call for service at 12:08 p.m. on March 25 to assist in capture of a Capuchin monkey that escaped from a vehicle in the parking lot of Carolina Medical Center – University located at 8800 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. A Carolina Medical Center employee attempted to capture the monkey and in the process received a minor bite and was unable to capture the monkey.
"The monkey was last seen running into the woods that borders the parking area. The monkey has not been located at this point in time and we have not received reports of sightings of the monkey. This remains an open investigation. Animal Care & Control is currently working with the Epidemiologist Specialist from the Mecklenburg County Health Department on standard rabies precautions in regards to the bite situation. Animal Care & Control would like to stress that it is imperative if you see this monkey that you DO NOT attempt to pet or capture it. Call 911 immediately. "
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: