Welcome to the extraordinary tale of animal escapes making headlines across South Carolina. Just recently, the quaint towns of Yemassee and Loris found themselves at the heart of two deeply intertwined stories involving unexpected runaways—43 monkeys and two remarkably free-spirited emus.
The saga kicked off on November 6, 2024, when 43 female rhesus macaques, housed at Alpha Genesis, escaped from their enclosure at the facility located near Yemassee, about 60 miles west of Charleston. Greg Westergaard, CEO of Alpha Genesis, revealed to CBS News the chaos unfolded when a caretaker neglected to properly secure one of the enclosure doors. "It's really like follow-the-leader; you see one go, and the others go," he explained. Out of the initial group of 50, only seven chose to stay back inside the compound.
Local residents were quickly advised to secure their doors and windows as the monkeys made their escape, prompting police to utilize baited traps and thermal imaging to locate them. Unfortunately, their wild antics prompted some bemusement and concern. Vendor efforts have mostly been successful, with 32 of the monkeys being recaptured within days. Yet, as of the latest updates, 11 are still on the loose, cunningly evading capture by staying just out of reach, playfully observing the recovery efforts from the treetops.
These mischievous primates, characterized by their brown fur and expressive red faces, are known for their adventurous spirits. Rhesus macaques are known for being particularly adaptable, having been imported to the US for biomedical research back when they needed subjects for various trials. At Alpha Genesis, which specializes in breeding monkeys for such research, the escaped macaques had never been used for testing, as they were too young and had skipped the age threshold for medical trials.
Simultaneously, and perhaps rather fittingly, South Carolinians found themselves contending with another feathered fiasco. Just as the public looked toward the skies for signs of the elusive monkeys, news broke about two emus—aptly dubbed Thelma and Louise—who had fled their home. Artie Morace, their owner, informed the community about these adventurous birds having escaped during separate incidents earlier this month. Although Morace admits the escapes left him distressed, he also noted the comical nature of the situation: "They decided they wanted to hop the fence when we were trying to grab one of them to move her to another paddock, and didn’t like it one bit!"
Morace detailed how his attempts to recapture them had resulted mostly in snagged feathers, with the strong-willed birds proving much hardier than he had anticipated. He noted this was the first emu he purchased at auction, boasting the tale of how it literally jumped over his head to continue its frolic. This kind of spirited freedom, Morace noted, is quite characteristic of female emus, known for their skittishness and considerable agility.
Interestingly, as social media went wild with reports and sightings of the emus, the Horry County Police Department playfully engaged, commenting on their Facebook, "We are not emu-sed!" Residents were informed the emus were not dangerous, but their search continues. Meanwhile, Morace has been wrestling with the complications of capturing his escaped birds, noting he’s even on the lookout for someone who can provide him with tranquilizers to safely bring them home.
The dual escapade of monkeys from a research lab and emus from the farm has offered South Carolinians both laughs and concerns. The combination of mischief has rendered local authorities proactive—after all, they’re working tirelessly to recover both sets of fauna. Meanwhile, Congressman Nancy Mace has called for federal oversight on Alpha Genesis, questioning its past violations and safety conditions. She’s taken the opportunity to push for greater accountability, citing repeated concerns about the welfare of animals at the facility.
What’s often been overlooked during this furry drama, though, is how these animals—though often misunderstood—have taken center stage, captivating hearts and minds across the community. Residents are grappling with the absurdities of animal escapades, surely pointing and laughing as they witness the spectacle.
For now, the emphasis remains on the recovery efforts for both groups of animals. While the monkeys have found their way back, albeit with few still roaming free, the search for Thelma and Louise continues. Local businesses, neighborly camaraderie, and wildlife advocates have all joined the race to help bring these animals back to their rightful homesteads. The beauty of the Southern charm has shown itself as locals collectively laugh, gasp, and chatter about the peculiar events, showing how sometimes, the wild side can seed unexpected joy among communities.
So, what's next for the escapees? Only time will tell if Thelma and Louise get back to their coops smoothly or if the monkeys defy gravity one last time to enjoy their newfound freedom. The sequence of comedic mischief, amid calls to action, makes for quite the narrative reminiscent of wild years gone past. For now, residents hold their breath and wait to see whether these enchanting animals find their way home—or if they continue to revel in their escapades, much to the correspondence of the humans they've momentarily outwitted.
Animal antics from our furry and feathery friends exemplify how humorous life can be at times—a gentle reminder of the joys of watching creatures embrace their natural instincts and the silliness sometimes found within adventure.
