42 monkeys remain on the run after escaping research center; 1 recovered safely

YEMASSEE, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) - One of 43 monkeys bred for medical research that escaped a compound in South Carolina earlier this week has been recovered unharmed.

The Yemassee Police Department confirmed the recapture of the animal on Saturday.

The other 42 remain a few yards from the facility, jumping back and forth over the property’s fence.

Officials said the monkeys made a break for it Wednesday after an employee at the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee didn’t fully lock a door as she fed and checked on them.

Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard issued the following statement on Saturday regarding the situation:

“One was found in a trap on our campus this morning eating apples. She is safe and sound and has since had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We saw many more just on the other side of the fence in the woods. We are watching them, and they are watching us.

They are a bit calmer than yesterday. They were having a nap this afternoon. More traps will be put out tonight. It’s a slow process. We are giving them the food they are used to, and the longer they remain calm and close by the better.”

Westergaard said the monkeys are staying close in the area grabbing food from the staff and watching him and his team at the lab.

“There’s been multiple sightings overnight and throughout the day in the adjacent woods. They’re playing like juvenile monkeys will,” Westergaard said.

Efforts to recover all the animals will continue until all primates have been captured, the company said.

Locals in the area said they’re used to monkeys as the facility has been in town for many years.

“I walk every day by that monkey farm, and I am not scared if I see something,” resident Issac Washington said.

The monkeys are about the size of a cat. They are all females weighing about 7 pounds.

Authorities said the monkeys pose no health risk to the public but have urged residents to keep their distance as the primates can get easily startled.