40 Monkeys Escape from Research Facility in South Carolina, Police Launch Search

A police search is currently underway in Yemassee, South Carolina, after 40 monkeys escaped from the Alpha Genesis research facility on Wednesday night. The company, which specializes in nonhuman primate research for clinical trials, reported the escape to local authorities. The animals, which are believed to be either macaques or capuchins, have prompted a widespread search, with law enforcement using thermal imaging cameras and setting up traps in an attempt to locate them.

Authorities have advised local residents to secure their homes, warning them to keep doors and windows locked to prevent the monkeys from entering. The Yemassee Sheriff’s Department also issued a statement advising the public not to approach any of the escaped animals and to contact 911 immediately if they are spotted. The situation has raised concerns over the safety of both the animals and the public.

Alpha Genesis, known for its extensive primate research operations, has one of the largest facilities of its kind in the U.S. The company conducts various clinical trials, including studies related to brain diseases. While the specific research the escaped monkeys were involved in has not been disclosed, there is concern over whether they could have been exposed to any pathogens or diseases during their time at the facility.

The escaped monkeys were part of a much larger primate population at Alpha Genesis, which also manages a colony of 3,500 monkeys on nearby Morgan Island, often referred to as "Monkey Island." This isn't the first time that primates have escaped from the facility. Similar incidents occurred in May 2024 and in 2016, when 19 monkeys escaped and were recaptured after a six-hour search.

In addition to the incidents in South Carolina, the company faced another escape in 2022, when three monkeys fled following a traffic accident in rural Pennsylvania. The repeated escapes have raised questions about the security protocols in place at Alpha Genesis, though the company has not commented on the recent escape or provided additional details on the situation.

40 Monkeys Escape from Research Facility in South Carolina, Police Launch Search