YEMASSEE, SC – The great primate escape story continues with only eight monkeys on the loose more than a week after they made their daring dash for freedom from a breeding compound for medical research. The incident, which took place on November 6, involved 43 Rhesus macaques bolting from the Alpha Genesis facility, often informally referred to as “the monkey farm” by locals. Police reported the escape was due to an employee not fully securing the monkeys' enclosure.
The situation has been quite the event for this small town, where the chatter buzzes about the monkeys’ unconventional escape and their subsequent recapture attempts. Just recently, authorities recaptured three of the escapees. They were found wandering near the perimeter of the facility and have since been reunited with their fellow primates back inside the compound.
One interesting detail about the recovery operation is the use of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to lure the monkeys back. Who would have thought? It seems these little creatures have quite the taste for sweet treats, and officials are making every effort to coax the remaining escapees back home safely. All animals have been examined by the staff at Alpha Genesis after being recaptured, with reports indicating they are all healthy.
Currently, there’s still some chatter coming from the woods surrounding the compound, where the last few monkeys can be heard cooing. Alpha Genesis has set traps around the area, hoping to safely capture the remaining escapees. The facility is about one mile from downtown Yemassee, located roughly 50 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia.
For those not familiar, Rhesus macaques are relatively small primates, with females usually weighing around 7 pounds (about 3 kilograms) and measuring roughly the size of a domesticated cat. These monkeys carry some intriguing evolutionary significance as they are quite genetically similar to humans, sharing about 93% of the same DNA. Scientists have utilized these primates for various forms of medical research since the late 1800s, particularly due to their close relation to human beings.
Both Alpha Genesis and various health officials have assured the public there’s no health risk associated with the monkeys roaming free. They urge anyone who encounters these gentle cashmere-blanket-sized creatures to keep their distance. When spotted, folks are advised not to approach or attempt to chase the monkeys, especially as they tend to be skittish and might bolt at the first sign of human interaction. Authorities also caution against flying drones around the area, which could startle the monkeys.
The incident has sparked conversations about the ethical and practical aspects of breeding animals for research, particularly when it leads to such visually captivating, albeit concerning, situations. While the general safety of the public remains intact, these events call attention to animal rights and their place within scientific inquiry.
Efforts to recover all escaped monkeys are sponsored by Alpha Genesis, which continues to monitor the situation closely. The organization emphasizes they will not give up until every last primate is back within the safety of their enclosure. Local authorities share this commitment, hoping to see the monkeys safely home soon.
Given the fact these monkeys are bred for medical research, it’s clear the sooner they are recaptured, the sooner they can help facilitate scientific progress and contribute to the myriad studies poised to begin.
