A police search is underway in Yemassee, South Carolina, after 43 monkeys escaped from a research facility on Wednesday night. Authorities are urging residents not to approach the primates and to immediately call 911 if they spot one. The animals, all young female Rhesus macaques, are being tracked through traps, food bait, and thermal imaging technology as officials work to recapture them safely.
43 Monkeys Escape from Alpha Genesis Research Facility
The 43 Rhesus macaques escaped from the Alpha Genesis research facility in Yemassee, Beaufort County, which specializes in nonhuman primate research and biotechnological services. According to the facility’s website, Alpha Genesis is one of the largest primate research centers in the U.S., involved in clinical trials, including studies for brain disease treatments.
A spokesperson from Alpha Genesis reassured authorities that these particular monkeys were “very young females” who had never been used for testing, adding that they were “too young to carry disease.” Local police issued a statement advising residents to avoid interacting with the animals for their own safety and to contact 911 if they encounter one.
“Alpha Genesis currently have eyes on the primates and are working to entice them with food,” Yemassee police said, explaining the steps being taken to manage the situation.
Efforts to Recapture the Escaped Monkeys
Local law enforcement and Alpha Genesis personnel are actively working to recapture the monkeys. Police have set up traps around the facility and surrounding areas, with thermal imaging cameras employed to detect the monkeys’ locations, especially as nighttime falls.
In their public statement, police advised residents to “keep doors and windows secured” to prevent the animals from entering homes. Authorities also urged that anyone spotting a monkey “should not interact with it but instead call 911.”
The facility’s ongoing efforts include the use of food bait to lure the monkeys back into safe areas, and staff are carefully monitoring the movements of the escaped animals. Though the monkeys are young and lack experience in the wild, their small size and agility have made the recapture process challenging.
Previous Incidents at Alpha Genesis and Monkey Escapes
This escape incident is not the first of its kind for Alpha Genesis or the region. The Post and Courier reported that primate escapes have happened several times in the area, with notable incidents in May of this year and in 2016, when 19 monkeys escaped but were successfully recaptured within six hours. These frequent escapes have raised questions among residents and local authorities about the facility’s security measures and its ability to prevent similar situations in the future.
In 2022, a separate incident involving escaped monkeys made headlines in Pennsylvania when three monkeys escaped following a traffic accident. The growing number of incidents across the country highlights the challenges and risks involved in managing large primate facilities.
Alpha Genesis and South Carolina’s ‘Monkey Island’
Alpha Genesis also manages a colony of 3,500 monkeys on Morgan Island, a remote area off the coast of South Carolina. Known locally as “Monkey Island,” the colony is one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. and has become a unique landmark for the region. Although the island is secure, some residents worry that the facility’s expansion and the increase in primate research might lead to more escape incidents.
Alpha Genesis, which holds federal contracts for its research, has not responded to recent requests for comment. The organization’s involvement in cutting-edge biomedical research has positioned it as a crucial facility in the study of neurological diseases, but incidents like the current escape raise questions about safety and containment practices.
Community Response and Safety Precautions
The incident has raised concerns among Yemassee residents, who are being vigilant and taking safety precautions as advised by local police. “It’s unsettling to know there are monkeys out there,” one local resident commented, noting that many in the area have secured their homes in response to the escape. The warning from police to avoid contact with the monkeys and to keep windows and doors locked has underscored the seriousness of the situation.
Police and Alpha Genesis are hopeful that the monkeys will be safely recaptured within the coming days. In the meantime, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates to the community.
A Growing Challenge for Primate Facilities
As police and Alpha Genesis personnel work to retrieve the escaped monkeys, this incident underscores the challenges faced by research facilities housing nonhuman primates. With similar incidents occurring in recent years, questions around containment protocols and public safety are likely to grow.
For now, residents in Yemassee remain on alert, hoping for a swift resolution. The situation highlights the delicate balance between cutting-edge scientific research and the responsibility to ensure the safety of both the animals and the surrounding community.
