Monkey Escape Adventure in South Carolina
A small South Carolina town has found itself in an unexpected predicament as 43 rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee on Wednesday. As of Friday night, all primates remained at large, creating a unique challenge for local authorities and residents alike.
The escapees, all young females weighing between 6 to 7 pounds, have never been used for testing and are reportedly too young to carry diseases. This information has provided some reassurance to the concerned community. The Yemassee Police Department, in collaboration with the research facility staff, has implemented a strategy to recapture the primates using humane 'Have a Heart' traps.
Gregory Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis, attributed the escape to human error, specifically a caretaker's failure to secure doors properly. He expressed optimism about the monkeys' behavior, noting that some have shown interest in the traps but have not yet triggered them.
Local authorities have advised residents to exercise caution by keeping doors and windows closed and refraining from interacting with the monkeys if encountered. The police are employing thermal imaging technology to locate the primates and have requested the public to avoid flying drones in the area, as it may agitate the animals and impede recapture efforts.
