Florida woman fends off attack from 'Mystery Monkey'

By Andrew Mach, NBC News A woman who fended off an attack by a celebrity simian known as the 'Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay' was recovering from her injuries on Wednesday as authorities searched for the wild animal, Florida wildlife officials said.  The woman, who said she didn't want her name to be released, was reportedly sitting on her front porch on Monday when the monkey jumped on her back and began scratching and gnawing on her skin.  She reached behind, grabbed the monkey's leg and tossed him in to the bushes before he ran off, Gary Morse, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told the Tampa Bay Times. "She could hear the clicking of teeth," the woman's daughter told the newspaper, who said she was inside cooking when she heard her mother scream.  The woman suffered several puncture wounds and scratches and was taken to the hospital, where doctors gave her shots to prevent infections. Stay informed with the latest headlines; sign up for our newsletter The monkey, which has gained notoriety in recent years after numerous sightings throughout the area, is a 40-pound wild rhesus macaque, which officials believe may have been cast out of a colony in Silver Springs near Ocala, Fla. Officials in the area were attempting to track and trap the monkey Wednesday morning. Morse said they will try to trap the monkey alive, but given the attack it's possible that trappers will have to kill it, he said. Residents say the monkey has never been aggressive until now, the Times reported. Officials said in the past year, the monkey has settled quietly into the area where residents have given him food despite warnings from authorities about coming into contact with the animal. Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com  "The public was warned about the dangers of feeding this animal," Morse told the Times. "It is a shame that it has come to this. Human kindness and food cannot overcome millions of years of genetic evolution." The monkey has become something of a celebrity, the Tampa Bay Times reported. A Facebook page for the mystery monkey has been featured on Comedy Central's "Colbert Report" and in a National Geographic special. Officials are asking anyone who sees the monkey to stay away and call police immediately. More content from NBCNews.com: Suicide is epidemic for American Indian youth: What more can be done? San Francisco sheriff reinstated despite domestic abuse conviction Video: Rape victim: I was 'shocked' at computer subpoena Lawyer defends release of names of alleged Boy Scout molesters Found in suitcase at LAX: Smoke grenade, hatchet, body bags, leg irons 'Warmest year' looking more likely for 2012 across continental US Follow US news from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook