One of several monkeys that escaped from a research facility in Yemassee, South Carolina, was safely captured on Saturday, following the animals’ escape from their enclosure on Wednesday.
“We are pleased to report that one of the escaped primates has been successfully recovered unharmed,” the Yemassee Police Department (YPD) announced on Facebook around noon EST.
Dozens of the remaining monkeys are still lingering near the research facility, occasionally crossing back and forth over the facility’s fence, according to YPD.
The incident involved 43 rhesus macaque monkeys that left their enclosure at the Alpha Genesis research facility after a caretaker accidentally left a door unsecured. The enclosure originally held 50 monkeys, but seven stayed inside while the others ventured out, Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard explained.
“It’s really like follow-the-leader,” Westergaard said, noting that once one monkey left, the rest followed suit. However, the loose monkeys have mostly stayed close to the facility grounds.
In an effort to recover the escaped animals, Alpha Genesis set up baited traps and thermal imaging cameras on Thursday. Staff continue to provide food and monitor the monkeys while the recovery operation remains underway.
The monkeys are still interacting with their companions inside the facility, which the YPD noted as a “positive sign.”
Westergaard emphasized that the effort to secure all the escaped monkeys will continue as long as needed. In the meantime, local residents are advised to keep doors and windows locked.
“We strongly urge the public to avoid the area around the facility, as the animals can be easily startled,” the YPD added on Facebook.
Yemassee is located about 60 miles west of Charleston, South Carolina.
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