Green monkeys brought from West Africa as pets aboard slave ships during the 1600s escaped into the Caribbean, where they multiplied into thousands and now destroy millions of dollars' worth of crops every year

The green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus), which is indigenous to West Africa, is not naturally found in the Caribbean islands. Historical accounts show that the animal species may have been carried across the Atlantic by Europeans during the slave trade era in the 17th century either as pets, trade animals or curiosities. Some managed to escape from captivity while others were set free on such islands as Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, and became established in the wild.

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