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YEMASSEE, S.C. (BFMG) — Officials have located monkeys they say escaped from an insecure door at a research lab in South Carolina. Beaufort County officials have warned local residents in Yemassee, South Carolina, to keep doors and windows securely closed and advised them not to approach the monkeys, but they say the primates are pose no threat and are too young to carry disease, which they have also been tested for.
The Yemassee Police Department reported on Nov. 7 around 1:00 p.m., that 43 rhesus macaque primates escaped from the Alpha Genesis research facility on Castle Hall Road. Police have set traps in the surrounding area to safely capture the monkeys and are using thermal imaging cameras to aid in the search according to WCSC.
“Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows securely closed to prevent the primates from entering homes,” the police department stated in a Facebook post, emphasizing that the monkeys do not pose a health risk.
South Carolina Congressional District 1 Representative Nancy Mace released the following statement in a post to X:
We’re diligently gathering all relevant information to keep our constituents informed regarding the recent escape of primates from Alpha Genesis Inc. in Beaufort County. Our office has been in direct communication with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and is working closely with their team to monitor and assess the situation. We are withholding any formal statements until we have a complete understanding of all the facts. Stay tuned…
The Yemassee Police Department is collaborating with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, as well as state and wildlife officials, to ensure the situation is managed “effectively and humanely.”
Alpha Genesis tells Carolina Spike, WCSC that an employee forgot to close a door which freed the 48 monkeys. The facility ensures locals that the monkeys have never been used and are too young to carry any diseases.
It has been widely reported that Alpha Genesis has received previous violations from the united Sates Department of Agriculture (USDA) related to primates in their care that have escaped their enclosures on numerous occasions. According to Jennifer Wood, FITS News, eight years ago, 19 monkeys escaped and were returned after six hours on the run.
Today officials say they have located the primates who are coming to the traps to get food, but as of writing this article, none have been captured. Stay tuned for updates on this story.
Yemassee Police Department
Subject:Escaped Primates –
Released: 8 PM, November 8, 2024
As of 8 PM today, the escaped primates have not been returned to their enclosures.
Alpha Genesis management and staff are currently on site feeding and monitoring the primates at the perimeter of the facility’s fence. The animals are engaging with their companions inside while displaying a calm demeanor.
Efforts to attract the primates with food have resulted in several of them returning to the property, although they have jumped back to the outside fence this is still a very positive development.
CEO Greg Westergaard of Alpha Genesis expressed optimism regarding the behavior observed today. He detailed their use of “Have a Heart” traps, which are humane traps designed with a trap door system. Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westgaard also relayed that a couple of primates entered the traps today but not enough to activate the doors. He believes the best way to recapture the animals is a passive humane way.
We urge the public not to linger in the area to avoid startling the primates further and request that people refrain from entering the vicinity of the facility.
*PLEASE AVOID FLYING DRONES in the area, this not only scares the animals but increases their stress level. Flying drones over these animals hinders the safe recapture, it also makes it more difficult to keep them calm.*
Staff are diligently watching the primates and will continue to do so over the weekend.
As previously stated, there is currently no threat to public health according to Alpha Genesis.
We are grateful for the community’s overwhelming support and concern as we continue to monitor the situation, and work towards a successful outcome.
We encourage all sightings to be reported by calling 911. Do not approach or attempt to interact with these animals.
Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
Source: Facebook