Police have initiated a search for 43 young rhesus macaques that escaped from a South Carolina research lab after a door was inadvertently left open. Authorities urge the public to report sightings while traps and thermal imaging tools are deployed to recapture the animals.
Escaped Rhesus Macaques Spark Urgency as Authorities Search South Carolina Woods
Escaped Rhesus Macaques Spark Urgency as Authorities Search South Carolina Woods
43 monkeys flee from a research facility in South Carolina following a keeper's error, prompting police to warn residents and launch a search operation.
Police are on high alert as they track down 43 rhesus macaques that escaped from a research facility in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The incident occurred when a keeper accidentally left the door of the outdoor enclosure open, allowing the young female monkeys to flee into the surrounding woods. The facility, Alpha Genesis, specializes in breeding primates for medical research and testing.
Local authorities emphasize that residents should secure their homes by closing windows and doors, and report any monkey sightings promptly. Each of the escaped monkeys weighs around 7 pounds (3.2kg), making them small and relatively young, according to the Yemassee Police Department. Officials confirmed that since the monkeys have not been tested, they are too young to carry diseases.
Efforts to capture the monkeys have been complicated by weather conditions, specifically rain, which has forced the animals to find shelter. Greg Westergaard, the CEO of Alpha Genesis, expressed his frustration over the escape and shared hopes for a peaceful resolution, stressing that the monkeys have instinctually grouped together in the wild: "It's really like follow-the-leader."
Westergaard further noted that while there are some natural food sources in the woods, the monkeys are particularly fond of apples, which he hopes could draw them back towards safety. In response to the escape, authorities have set traps and are employing thermal imaging technology to locate the primates.
Historical context suggests this isn't an isolated incident, as 19 monkeys escaped from Alpha Genesis in 2016 and were recaptured within six hours. Similarly, 26 primates had made a getaway two years earlier. The small town of Yemassee, which has fewer than 1,100 residents, is currently the focus of these efforts.
According to Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander, despite the monkeys' reputation for being aggressive, there is little to no danger posed to the public at this time. In a related twist, this year has also seen similar incidents involving escaped macaques, including a notable case in Scotland.
As the search continues, Congresswoman Nancy Mace is closely monitoring the situation to keep constituents updated on the ongoing developments surrounding this unusual escape.
