Over 40 monkeys escape the research center in Beaufort County

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WTOC) – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office needs help finding 43 rhesus macaques that escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center on Wednesday.

According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, they are working with Yemassee police, Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center staff and state agriculture and wildlife agencies to locate these primates.

According to an Alpha Genesis spokesperson, the young female primates weigh about six to seven pounds. They were never used for testing purposes. They are also too young to transmit disease.

As of 12 p.m. Thursday, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office said they were monitoring the primates and working to attract them with food.

The Sheriff’s Office asks that you avoid the area around Alpha Genesis as any noise or movement could impede a safe capture.

Yemassee police say they have set up traps in the area and are using thermal imaging cameras to locate the primates.

Yemassee police are advising all residents to keep doors and windows closed to prevent primates from entering homes.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating these primates and returning them safely to their enclosures.

If you encounter any of the animals, call 911 immediately and do not attempt to interact with them.

WTOC Investigates: Research facility has a history of USDA violations

Wednesday’s escape of the monkeys is not the first incident at the Alpha Genesis Research Center. In 2016, 19 monkeys escaped the facility and two died later that summer.

The facility is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. WTOC Investigates has found that Alpha Genesis has received eight violations from the USDA since 2022, including three major violations: a miscellaneous violation, a condominium violation and a veterinary violation.

An inspection report shows that from January to August 2022, six monkeys were housed in the wrong enclosures containing other species of monkeys with which they should not be kept.

The report states: “One animal was found dead due to trauma caused by animals living in the enclosure” and “Four animals subsequently required veterinary treatment.”

The report also said that in two separate incidents, two monkeys had their fingers “jammed in structures within their enclosures.” Both were found dead with their fingers trapped. The report goes on to say that the incident may have been caused by “inadequate daily observations.” The report states that the problem was corrected prior to the inspection.

Finally, the inspection report states that between January and August 2022, there were six separate cases of monkeys escaping from their enclosures. In another case, a monkey escaped its enclosure and “subsequently required veterinary attention.”

The report shows that after these escapes, Alpha Genesis repaired the chain link and completely eliminated some of the escape cages.

Alpha Genesis was last audited in May 2024 and no violations were found. That report shows there were at least 6,701 monkeys on the property as of May this year.

WTOC Investigates has reached out to the USDA for comment. They say they are aware of the situation and take animal welfare situations seriously. They added that they follow “standard response protocol.”

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