Monkey madness: police searching for missing 40 primates that escaped Alpha Genesis SC research facility
Authorities in South Carolina are warning residents not to monkey around if they come across any of the 40 monkeys that escaped a lab in Beaufort County.
Law enforcement in South Carolina are searching high and low for 40 monkeys that escaped from a research lab on Wednesday night. The animals slipped out of the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center located outside Yemassee in Beaufort County.
The police department is “strongly” advising residents “to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes.” Additionally, should you come across one of the fugitive monkeys, call 911, do not interact with the animal and refrain from approaching them.
The second great monkey escape in South Carolina
The monkeys made their break around 9:45 pm on Wednesday. However, this isn’t the first time that primates held at the research facility have found a way out.
In 2016, 19 monkeys busted out and made a run for it. They were only on the lam for about 6 hours before Authorities were able to round them all up.
The Yemassee Police Department says that it has set out traps and is using thermal imaging cameras in their efforts to recapture the 40 monkeys involved in this latest jailbreak.
Authorities have not yet said the exact type of primates that have escaped but the Alpha Genesis’ webpage says that they work with capuchin and macaque monkeys.
The company says that it is “one of the largest and most comprehensive nonhuman primate facilities, designed specifically for monkeys, in the United States.” The company works with monkeys to carry out clinical trials as well being “the world’s premier provider of the finest nonhuman primate products.”