COLUMBIA, S.C. – A group of 43 monkeys bred for medical research has been spotted roaming the woods near a facility in South Carolina after escaping their enclosure. The monkeys, Rhesus macaques, managed to flee the Alpha Genesis compound in Yemassee on a Wednesday when a staff member inadvertently left a door unlocked while attending to their needs, officials have confirmed.
According to Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard, the monkeys are known to be very social creatures that tend to follow one another. As the first few ventured outside, the rest followed suit. Westergaard emphasized that his primary objective is to ensure the safe return of the monkeys. “I think they are having an adventure,” he stated.
Recent sightings revealed the monkeys engaging with the outer fence of the Alpha Genesis property, even communicating with their counterparts inside the enclosure. Police shared that the primates appeared calm and playful, a positive sign in the efforts to safely recover them. Workers at the facility are using food as bait to draw the monkeys back while observing them from a distance to avoid frightening them further.
These small females, weighing around 7 pounds (3 kilograms), are not considered a threat to public health, according to officials. Both Alpha Genesis and local authorities reassured the public that the monkeys have not been infected with any diseases. Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander has noted their harmless demeanor, although he still advises residents near the facility to maintain vigilance, keeping windows closed and calling 911 if they see the monkeys, as approaching them could lead to erratic behavior and make capture more difficult.
While Rhesus macaques can exhibit aggressive tendencies and some carry the herpes B virus—which is deadly to humans—Alpha Genesis claims to provide pathogen-free individuals. Eve Cooper, a biology professor who has researched these monkeys, cautioned the public about their unpredictable nature and suggested that maintaining a safe distance is wise.
The Alpha Genesis facility, located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Savannah, Georgia, supplies primates for use in medical research across the globe. Locally known as “the monkey farm,” the escape has sparked a more humorous than fearful response among the roughly 1,100 residents of Yemassee, situated just off Interstate 95.
William McCoy, a business owner in the area, mentioned that while he plans to keep his distance from the monkeys, he has a lighthearted way of trying to lure them back—by stocking up on bananas.
The Alpha Genesis facility is routinely inspected by federal authorities, and past incidents of monkey escapes have been addressed with fines and regulatory actions. In 2018, a fine of $12,600 was imposed after multiple escapes and other safety violations were reported. The group Stop Animal Exploitation Now has also reached out to USDA officials calling for immediate inspections and investigations due to concerns over safety violations involving the facility.
The latest federal inspection revealed around 6,700 primates on site with no issues reported. However, in previous inspections, problems like inadequate security of cages and health hazards for the monkeys were noted. Supporters of research using nonhuman primates argue that these animals play a crucial role in developing medical advancements, including vaccine research, due to their biological similarities to humans.
Rhesus macaques have served as subjects in scientific studies for over a century, contributing to significant medical breakthroughs. Their genome has been mapped, and their importance in both laboratory and field studies continues to grow, emphasizing the need for a sustainable supply of these animals for research purposes.
Dario Maestripieri, a behavioral scientist, describes these monkeys as highly social, forming family bonds and political alliances within their groups. He also highlights the darker aspects of their behavior, suggesting that they can reflect some of humanity’s more troubling tendencies.