Monkeys Escape in Yemassee, South Carolina
Yemassee, South Carolina – A total of 43 monkeys escaped from an enclosure at the Alpha Genesis research center on Wednesday when a caretaker accidentally left a door unlocked. To date, 25 of the primates have been recaptured, while the remaining 18 are still on the loose, according to local authorities.
Capture Efforts Underway
The escape occurred as the caretaker was feeding and cleaning the monkeys in their habitat. By Saturday, one monkey had been captured, and on Sunday, officials reported the successful recovery of an additional 24 monkeys. The location of the captures has not been disclosed publicly, but reports indicate that the recovered animals are in good health as confirmed by local veterinarians.
Local Response and Guidance
Yemassee Police, located approximately 60 miles west of Charleston, have advised residents to stay away from the research center’s perimeter, particularly where some monkeys have been spotted in trees. Greg Westergaard, Chief Executive of Alpha Genesis, emphasized the importance of patience in the rescue process, stating, “The recovery process is slow, but the team is committed to taking as much time as necessary to safely recover all remaining animals.”
Precautionary Measures
In light of the ongoing situation, local authorities have issued safety guidelines for the community. Residents are urged to keep their doors and windows closed and to report any monkey sightings to law enforcement. “There is no risk to public health because the animals are too young to carry disease,” said a spokesperson from Alpha Genesis.
Animal Trapping Efforts
The research center houses around 7,000 primates for biomedical studies. To recapture the remaining monkeys, the center is deploying humane traps and using fruits and vegetables as bait. This approach is deemed effective since the domesticated monkeys are unfamiliar with foraging in the wild. Some attempts have been made to trap individual monkeys, but they reportedly have not ventured far enough inside the traps to trigger closure mechanisms.
Historical Context
This is not the first incident involving escaped monkeys from Alpha Genesis. In 2014, 26 monkeys managed to escape, but they were recaptured within two days. In connection with that event and other containment failures, the facility faced a fine of $12,600 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2017. The recent escape has reignited concerns about safety and animal control in the area.
Final Notes
As authorities and Alpha Genesis work together to ensure the safe recovery of the remaining monkeys, the public is advised to remain vigilant but not to approach the animals. Police chief Gregory Alexander has noted that while it is unlikely the monkeys will be aggressive, they are skittish and should be treated with caution.
The situation continues to develop, and both local authorities and the management of Alpha Genesis remain committed to resolving the incident as swiftly and safely as possible.
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
