At least 43 primates were on the loose Thursday in a South Carolina town where authorities “strongly advised” residents to keep their doors and windows locked after the animals escaped from a research laboratory.
“At this point, none have been captured,” Yemassee police said in a statement posted on their Facebook page.
Traps were set around the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee, where rhesus macaque monkeys escaped en masse around 1 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Forty-three rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from the Alpha Genesis Castle Hall Road Research Laboratory in Yemassee, South Carolina on November 7, 2024.
Yemassee Police Department via Meta
Yemassee police officers were searching for the furry fugitives, who can grow up to 21 inches tall and weigh 17 pounds, using thermal cameras, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secure to prevent these animals from entering homes,” the sheriff’s office said. “If you spot any of the animals running away, please contact 911 immediately and avoid approaching them.”
Police said they were working with staff at the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center to find the escapees.
“We want to assure the community that there is no health risk associated with these animals,” police said.
Representatives from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center could not immediately be reached for comment.
According to its website, Alpha Genesis “provides the highest quality bio-research products and services for non-human primates worldwide,” including serum, plasma, whole blood and tissue samples.
