A total of forty-three Rhesus macaques have recently fled from a medical research compound located in South Carolina, yet local authorities assure that the public faces “almost no danger.” This incident has marked the fourth occurrence of primate escapes from this facility since 2014, with a significant escape involving dozens of monkeys happening just last in 2018.
“They are not infected with any disease whatsoever. They are harmless and a little skittish,” Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander stated during a press conference on Thursday morning, emphasizing the monkeys pose no threat to the community.
The escape transpired at the Alpha Genesis facility, when an employee left an enclosure partially unlatched, according to Chief Alexander. The monkeys soon made their way outside the compound, which is situated approximately one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the heart of downtown Yemassee.
Normally, the staff at Alpha Genesis is adept at managing these types of escapes directly. Their strategies include enticing the monkeys back with fruits or treats, as Alexander noted, “The handlers know them well and usually can get them back with fruit or a little treat.” However, the current task of recapturing these escapees has presented some challenges.
In response to the situation, Alpha Genesis is actively taking the lead in the recapture efforts by employing traps and utilizing thermal imaging cameras to locate the wayward monkeys, as confirmed by Chief Alexander. “There is almost no danger to the public,” he reiterated, aiming to calm any concerns among local residents.
In light of the escape, residents in the vicinity are advised to secure their homes by closing windows and doors to prevent the monkeys from seeking refuge indoors. Community members are also encouraged to report any sightings of the primates by dialing 911, allowing company officials and police to coordinate a capture.
Founded roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Savannah, Georgia, Alpha Genesis provides primates for research purposes on a global scale, as indicated on their official website. The company has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the recent escape incident.
Historically, Alpha Genesis has encountered legal repercussions concerning animal escapes. In 2018, federal authorities levied a fine of $12,600 against the company for the escape of numerous primates, alongside other infractions that involved certain monkeys being deprived of water and inadequate housing conditions.
Documented past incidents reveal that in 2014, twenty-six primates escaped the Yemassee facility, following with an additional nineteen that escaped in 2016.
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**Interview with Police Chief Gregory Alexander: The Monkey Escape Incident in South Carolina**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Chief Alexander. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent escape of the 43 monkeys from the Alpha Genesis facility in South Carolina. Can you tell us what exactly happened?
**Chief Alexander:** Good morning! Absolutely. On Wednesday, we received reports that 43 Rhesus macaques had escaped from the medical research compound. The incident occurred when an employee accidentally left an enclosure partially unlatched. Fortunately, I want to assure everyone that the monkeys are not infected with any diseases and pose almost no danger to the public.
**Interviewer:** That’s certainly a relief to hear. This isn’t the first time monkeys have escaped from this facility. Can you provide some context on previous incidents?
**Chief Alexander:** Yes, this incident marks the fourth notable escape from the Alpha Genesis facility since 2014. The last significant escape occurred in 2018, where a group of monkeys similarly got out. Each time, the facility staff has been professional and proficient in managing these situations.
**Interviewer:** How are local authorities and the staff at Alpha Genesis handling the situation, particularly in terms of recapturing the monkeys?
**Chief Alexander:** The staff at Alpha Genesis are well-prepared for such escapes. They have experience in enticing the monkeys back using fruits or treats, which has proved effective in the past. Our officers are coordinating closely with them. The primary goal is to bring the monkeys home safely without causing them any stress.
**Interviewer:** For residents in the surrounding areas, what advice would you give them at this time?
**Chief Alexander:** I’d advise residents to remain calm and not to approach the monkeys if they see them. They are generally skittish and tend to avoid human interaction. Our local animal control will be on the lookout, and we’ll keep the community updated on the situation.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for that information, Chief. As a final note, is there anything else you’d like to add?
**Chief Alexander:** Just to reiterate, the public is not in danger. The staff at Alpha Genesis are committed to resolving this quickly, and we appreciate the community’s understanding as we work to ensure everyone’s safety.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Chief Alexander, for your insights and updates on this unique situation. We hope for a swift resolution.
**Chief Alexander:** Thank you for having me.
