If you thought your biggest worry this week was election drama, think again. Residents of Beaufort County, South Carolina are dealing with an entirely different kind of chaos: 43 rhesus macaque monkeys are on the loose after a daring escape from the Alpha Genesis research facility in Yemassee late Wednesday. This isn’t a scene from Jumanji, it’s real life.
The young primates, each weighing in at around 6-7 pounds, managed to break free from their enclosures, prompting an immediate response from local law enforcement. The Yemassee Police Department, working alongside Alpha Genesis personnel, has launched a full-scale operation to locate and recapture the escapees. This effort includes setting traps, using thermal imaging technology, and deploying food-based lures in hopes of enticing the monkeys back into captivity.
But this isn’t a job for your typical animal control team. These monkeys are described as skittish, meaning they’re likely to bolt at any sudden movements or loud noises. As a result, the police are urging residents to lock their doors and windows and to avoid making unnecessary noise, which could spook the animals even more.
“We received an alert from Alpha Genesis regarding the escape of numerous rhesus macaque primates from their enclosures,” the Yemassee Police Department said in a statement. “The number has since been confirmed to be 43.”
The monkeys are reportedly young females and, according to Alpha Genesis, have not been used in testing due to their age and size. A company spokesperson also confirmed that the animals pose no health risk, putting to rest any fears of disease transmission. However, officials are still urging caution: these are wild animals, and while they might look cute, they aren’t house pets.
For now, the search is on. Authorities have set up traps around the area and are employing high-tech thermal imaging cameras to spot the elusive primates. The operation has become a community effort, with the police department urging anyone who sees one of these furry fugitives to call 911 immediately — but do not attempt to approach or capture the animals.
In a statement, Alpha Genesis thanked the community for their patience and cooperation:
“We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work to safely resolve this situation. Our team is fully committed to bringing all the escaped primates back to the facility.”
This isn’t the first time escaped lab monkeys have made headlines. Just last year, a truck carrying about 100 monkeys crashed in Pennsylvania, resulting in the escape of three macaques. Those monkeys were eventually recaptured, but not before causing a panic and sparking health concerns.
For now, South Carolina residents will need to keep their doors locked and their eyes peeled. The search continues, and as the community awaits further updates, one thing is clear: this week has gone bananas — quite literally.
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