As of 12 p.m. today, November 7, 2024, officers with the Yemassee Police Department and staff of Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center are working to capture the 43 rhesus macaque that escaped their enclosure. The monkeys escaped from the facility located on Castle Hall Road in Yemassee around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2024.
According to a spokesperson for Alpha Genesis, the 43 rhesus macaque who escaped are described as very young females, weighing about 6-7 pounds. The monkeys have never been used for testing due to their young age and size and are too young to carry disease.
Currently, staff with the facility are watching the monkeys while working to entice them with food.
The public is asked to avoid the area around Alpha Genesis due to the skittish nature of these young monkeys noting any additional noises and/or movements could hinder their safe capture.
Should the public locate one of the escaped monkeys, please do not approach the animal and immediately call 911.
NOTE: The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office is sharing this information as a courtesy to the Yemassee Police Department. Any comments, questions, etc. should be directed to Matthew Garnes, Yemassee Town Administrator, via email at [email protected] or by calling 843-589-2565.
(Attached is a photo of what the rhesus macaque looks like, not the actual animal that escaped.)
