South Carolina Residents on High Alert as 43 Macaque Monkeys Escape Research Facility

Residents in Beaufort County, South Carolina, are being urged to lock their doors and windows as 43 rhesus macaque monkeys fled from a local research facility.

The fugitive primates, which were housed at Alpha Genesis, are described as “very young females weighing approximately 6-7 lbs.” They broke loose after a caretaker accidentally left a door unsecured, leading to an organized “follow-the-leader” type escape of 43 monkeys out of 50 in the group.

The Yemassee Police Department issued a statement on Thursday, describing the monkeys as “skittish” and advising the community to take precautions.

“Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes,” warned authorities. They added, “If you spot any of the escaped animals, please contact 911 immediately and refrain from approaching them.”

Alpha Genesis, which provides “nonhuman primate products and bio-research services” worldwide, scrambled to set traps and deployed thermal imaging cameras to locate the missing monkeys. CEO Greg Westergaard admitted the situation was “frustrating” and expressed hope for a peaceful resolution.

Though the facility reassured locals there was “no health risk” posed by the escapees, the idea of 43 curious, “bold, and extremely adaptable” monkeys potentially interacting with people left many on edge. For Alpha Genesis, this isn’t the first time primates have made a break for it; 19 primates escaped from the facility eight years ago but were recovered after six hours.