Search Intensifies For 43 Monkeys Escaped From Research Facility

A daring escape by 43 rhesus macaque monkeys has left the town of Yemassee, South Carolina, buzzing with curiosity. The incident occurred Wednesday afternoon when a door at the Alpha Genesis research facility was inadvertently left open, giving the young primates a chance to flee into the surrounding woods.

The monkeys, all small females weighing about 6-7 pounds, have proven elusive. Officials assure the public there is no health risk associated with the escape, as the animals are too young to carry disease. Still, their skittish nature has made recovery efforts especially challenging.

Alpha Genesis staff, along with local authorities, quickly launched a recovery operation. Thermal imaging cameras were deployed, and humane traps were set up to attract the primates. “The best way to recapture the animals is through passive, humane methods,” said Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard. Although some monkeys have approached the traps, none have been successfully captured so far.

By Friday, signs of progress emerged. Several monkeys were seen returning to the facility’s perimeter, interacting with those still inside their enclosures. However, their tendency to jump back outside the fence has slowed the recovery process. Staff remain hopeful, describing the monkeys’ calm and playful behavior as encouraging.

Residents have been advised to secure their homes and avoid the facility to prevent scaring the animals further. Authorities have also requested that drones not be flown in the area, as they could hinder the monkeys’ safe capture by increasing their stress levels.

This escape echoes a similar incident in 2016 when 19 monkeys fled the same facility. While the current escape involves more animals, officials remain confident in their efforts to safely return all 43 primates. The search continues as the community watches this unusual story unfold.

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