Small town clerk catches loose monkey with a fresh cup of coffee

Quit monkeying around.

A pet spider monkey broke free of its owner at a beloved fall festival and was running amok in its small South Carolina town until local leaders saved the day with a cup of joe.

The teeny primate named Ava escaped during the annual Crappie Classic and Fall Fest in Eutawville Saturday, sparking a frantic search with even the mayor and town clerk joining in, The Post and Courier reported.

“We always say Eutawville festivals bring something unique — and this year is no exception!” the town said in a statement.

Eutawville town clerk Casey Hill, mayor Brandon Weatherford and his wife, Laura, banded together to find and rescue little Ava and eventually found the monkey hanging around a vehicle by a barbershop.

“She was hollering,” Hill told the local outlet.

“You could tell she was scared.”

Hill and the Weatherfords eventually chased the spider monkey to the First National Bank of South Carolina.

Thinking quickly, Hill put a cup of hot coffee on the ground, removing the lid and allowing the sweet odor to tempt Ava.

The plan went off without a hitch as the curious monkey came over to investigate the bean juice.

As soon as she did, Hill stepped onto the long leash Ava was wearing, keeping her in place.

Ava’s owner was located and the pair was reunited, local officials said.

Spider monkeys are named for their habit of dangling from trees using their long tails.

They are among the 25 most threatened primates in the world, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

Not all variations of the monkeys are protected under the Endangered Species Act, with the simians currently legal to own in South Carolina without a permit.