Social media reports of a monkey on the loose in downtown Charlottetown today prompted intervention by police and the local humane society, but it turned out to be a prank.
The social media posts included pictures and video that made it appear a long-tailed primate was wandering around the Prince Edward Island capital.
Some residents were seen carrying bananas in case they encountered the monkey.
The Charlottetown Police later issued a message on Twitter saying that while everyone appreciates a good joke, especially during the pandemic, such hoaxes can put a strain on the emergency 911 system.
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They said if 911 is tied up with people calling about “a fake monkey,” those with real emergencies can’t get through.
The P.E.I. Humane Society called the prank ill-advised and said it was thankful no animals were harmed.
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