Residents of a South Carolina town were urged to close their windows and doors after 43 rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from a testing facility on Thursday.
Police Advisory
The Yemassee Police Department (YPD) alerted the community via social media about the escape from the Alpha Genesis facility located on Castle Hall Road. They strongly advised residents to secure their homes to prevent the monkeys from entering.
Safety Assurances
A spokesperson from Alpha Genesis confirmed that the escaped monkeys were too young to carry diseases, as they were not yet old enough for testing. The organization also reported that traps had been set in the area and that police were using thermal imaging cameras to locate the animals.
Ongoing Search Efforts
As of 1 p.m. Thursday, the YPD provided an update stating that they had visual contact with the primates and were attempting to lure them with food. The monkeys, weighing between 6 to 7 pounds, were described as “skittish.” Alpha Genesis is responsible for the care, feeding, and veterinary needs of the monkeys at its primary facility in Yemassee.
