Escape of Monkeys from South Carolina Research Center
In a surprising turn of events, twenty-five out of forty-three monkeys that escaped from an enclosure at a research facility in South Carolina were successfully captured over the weekend. The incident occurred at Alpha Genesis, where a caretaker inadvertently left a door unlatched after feeding and cleaning the enclosure housing around fifty rhesus macaques.
Authorities in Yemassee, located approximately 60 miles west of Charleston, announced on their Facebook page that a total of 24 monkeys were recaptured on Sunday, with one additional monkey caught on Saturday. However, the whereabouts of the remaining escaped monkeys remain uncertain.
Initial assessments by veterinarians indicated that the recovered monkeys are in good health, as reported in the police’s Facebook update. Despite this, a significant group of the escaped monkeys continues to be sighted along the perimeter of the research center’s fencing.
According to Greg Westergaard, the chief executive of Alpha Genesis, the recovery process is being approached with caution. He emphasized that the team is dedicated to taking the necessary time to ensure the safe recovery of all remaining animals. The research center is home to approximately 7,000 primates used for biomedical research and other scientific studies.
The police have issued warnings urging the public to avoid approaching the escaped monkeys and to steer clear of the research facility, which spans over 100 acres and is bordered by wooded areas where some monkeys have been seen in trees. Additionally, residents are advised against flying drones in the vicinity, as a recent incident involving a drone startled the primates, heightening their stress levels and complicating efforts for their safe retrieval.
Alpha Genesis has assured the public that there is no health risk associated with the escaped monkeys, as they are too young to carry any diseases. Police Chief Gregory Alexander noted that while the monkeys are skittish, they are unlikely to exhibit aggressive behavior towards humans; each monkey typically weighs between six to seven pounds.
The research center is employing humane traps baited with fresh fruits and vegetables to lure the remaining monkeys, as these domesticated animals struggle to find food in the wild. Some escapees have approached the traps, but they have not ventured far enough inside for the doors to close, according to police reports.
In light of the situation, the town’s 2,200 residents have been urged to keep their doors and windows closed and to notify the police if they spot any monkeys. This is not the first instance of escaped monkeys from Alpha Genesis; in 2014, 26 monkeys escaped but were recaptured within two days. Following that incident, the company faced a $12,600 fine from the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to failures in containing the animals.
