Indiana Firefighters Rescue Monkey Stuck in Tree at Patoka Lake Campground

Well, you don't see this every day!

Firefighters are pros at saving cats who have gotten stuck in trees. It happens all the time. A kitty bravely climbs up maybe chasing after a squirrel or bird and then, "uh-oh!" They look down, see how high up they are, and are too scared to make their way back.

This week, a similar situation happened at an Indiana campground. Except the animal stuck in the tree is one you wouldn't expect. Because typically it would be an expert at...climbing trees. A monkey!

Orange County Rural District 1 Fire Department got a call Tuesday night at 11:55PM from some folks at Patoka Lake Campgrounds in French Lick, Indiana. I wonder if they thought it was a prank call at first. A camper took their pet monkey for a late night walk. Maybe Curious George had to potty. It seems what happened is they got away from their person with their leash still attached. Adventuring into a tree, the monkey's leash got all tangled up and they couldn't get down.

Poor thing! I bet it was so confused. About 30-35 feet up and couldn't get loose from the branches. In a Facebook post, the fire department said, "With quick planning from the first arriving units on scene a plan of action was established. A few strategic cuts were made and the monkey was safely lowered back down to the campsite." And reunited with her mama. She is hugging her neck so tight, she looks grateful to be safe and sound.

Yay!! Thank goodness for firefighters! And the other agencies who helped with the rescue. Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Conservation, Indiana DNR were all involved in this story that I'm sure they'll all remember forever.

As one commenter put it, "Never a dull moment at Patoka Lake."

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