Authorities Seek to Contain Young Primates
The escaped monkeys are described as “very young females,” weighing approximately 6-7 pounds each. Due to their young age, they have not been involved in any research testing, officials noted. Authorities are now employing thermal imaging and traps to locate and safely recapture the monkeys.
Safety Advice Issued to Local Residents
Local officials swiftly issued an advisory on Wednesday night, cautioning residents to secure their homes and avoid approaching the monkeys. In a Facebook post, the Yemassee Police Department urged residents to “keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes,” adding that people should “refrain from approaching” the animals. Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander also warned residents not to attempt to capture or keep the monkeys, emphasizing, “Taking them is a felony because they don’t belong to you.” The department is coordinating with state wildlife officials to handle the incident carefully and humanely.
State Officials and Local Representatives Monitoring Situation
South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace shared an update on X (formerly Twitter), confirming that her office is in close contact with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and actively monitoring the situation. She stated, “Our office has been in direct communication with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office and is working closely with their team to monitor and assess the situation.”
Research Facility’s Background
The Alpha Genesis facility, based on Castle Hall Road in Beaufort County, specializes in breeding monkeys for medical research. According to The Post and Courier, Alpha Genesis houses a population of over 6,700 primates, positioning itself as one of the largest nonhuman primate research facilities in the U.S. This recent escape incident is not the first for Alpha Genesis; in 2016, 19 monkeys briefly escaped but were returned within hours.
Social Media Reaction: Memes and Theories
The primate escape quickly caught attention online, leading to a wave of humorous responses on social media. Fans of the “Planet of the Apes” movie series, including the official franchise page, shared memes and jokes comparing the real-life incident to the movie’s plot. Some users humorously speculated about the connection between the incident and recent political events, with one post remarking, “Some crazy scientist: you think now that the election is over things are going to start calming down… NEVER. Initiate Planet of the Apes.”
Local authorities and Alpha Genesis continue to work together to capture the monkeys and ensure the public’s safety.