Monkey mayhem has gripped Yemassee, South Carolina, as 18 rhesus macaques remain on the loose after escaping from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center. 

The incident began on Wednesday when 43 of the center’s monkeys unexpectedly got out, prompting a swift response from local authorities and the research facility's staff. 

The Yemassee Police Department announced Sunday evening via Facebook that nearly half of the escaped monkeys had been returned safely. But many still remain at large, creating a unique and unexpected situation for the community.

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Efforts to Recover the Monkeys

Yemassee Police have issued statements on the ongoing recovery efforts.

 “As of 5 PM today, Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard has confirmed the successful recovery of an additional 24 primates, bringing the number recovered to 25,” their statement read. 

Authorities report that a large group of the runaway monkeys is staying close to the facility’s fence line and have taken to sleeping in trees nearby.

 Local veterinarians are also involved, conducting wellness exams on each monkey brought back to the facility. “Initial reports from the veterinary team indicate that all recovered animals are in good health,” noted the police update.

Police are urging residents not to fly drones in the area, since the noise can frighten the monkeys and complicate retrieval efforts. 

“If you spot any of the remaining primates, please report your sighting by calling 911. We strongly advise against approaching or interacting with them,” they emphasized.

 Monkey Mayhem

Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard has assured authorities and the public that his team will work to retrieve the monkeys “for as long as it takes.”

 Currently, Alpha Genesis staff are using humane “Have a Heart” traps designed with a gentle trap-door mechanism, which has shown promise in safely capturing the animals. Westergaard expressed optimism, explaining that the monkeys’ calm and playful behavior suggests they’re still in a stable state.

The escaped monkeys appear to be interacting with their counterparts who remain caged within the facility, often “playfully exploring the perimeter fence” and calling to those inside. This behavior has allowed the facility’s staff to monitor the animals at close range.

Community Remains on High Alert

Yemassee residents are being advised to stay alert and avoid the perimeter of the research center where monkeys have been seen.

 "The animals can be easily startled," warned Yemassee Town Administrator Matthew Garnes, adding that the monkeys, although nonviolent, could be becoming restless due to hunger. 

Garnes advised locals to keep their doors and windows shut to prevent any curious primates from wandering into homes.

The escaped monkeys are all female juveniles weighing between six and seven pounds, according to the police. They have not been used for testing and are too young to carry diseases, offering some reassurance to locals concerned about health risks.

Surprisingly, this isn’t the first time South Carolina has dealt with such an incident. In 2016, 19 monkeys briefly escaped from the same facility before being recovered within 6-hours.

 The Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center is one of the country’s largest nonhuman primate research facilities, occupying over 100 acres dedicated to the breeding and research of primates for biomedical purposes.

As the search continues, local authorities and Alpha Genesis personnel are committed to reuniting all of the monkeys with the facility. Yemassee residents remain hopeful that the monkey mayhem will soon be resolved without further incident.