(SQAUK) YEMASSEE — In a scene straight out of a Hollywood thriller, 40 primates are on the loose, having escaped a primate research lab in South Carolina. The monkeys broke from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center on Monday night, one of the nation’s most extensive facilities for non-human primate research, prompting a widespread search effort by local authorities and wildlife officials. Residents are on high alert and urged to keep their doors and windows securely closed, as these monkeys may carry disease, posing a severe health risk, and are likely frightened in their unfamiliar surroundings.
According to the Yemassee Police Department, the primates escaped from a lab around 9:45 p.m., prompting a massive effort to recapture them. The facility houses capuchin and macaque monkeys, commonly used in scientific research, though officials have not specified which species escaped. Given that research facilities like Alpha Genesis conduct various medical studies, there is a possibility that the primates may carry pathogens, raising public health concerns. Authorities have strongly advised residents to avoid physical interaction with the monkeys, emphasizing that they could pose health risks and behave unpredictably.
The escape has drawn comparisons to the 1995 sci-fi thriller “12 Monkeys“, in which escaped lab animals play a role in creating a dystopian future. However, authorities have quickly reassured residents that they are taking every possible measure to recover the animals safely and that there is no immediate threat of widespread infection. Officers have set up traps around the perimeter of the facility. They use thermal imaging cameras to locate the animals in the nearby wooded areas, hoping to capture them before they wander too far from the facility.
For residents of Yemassee, the recent monkey escape has sparked both concern and curiosity. Many have turned to social media to share updates, with some reporting sightings and others drawing comparisons to the fictional chaos depicted in the movie “12 Monkeys.” “It’s surreal—you don’t expect something like this to happen in your own backyard,” said one resident interviewed by Sqauk. “It feels like a scene from a movie, but we’re just hoping it doesn’t get out of hand.”
This is not the first time Alpha Genesis has faced an incident involving an escape. In 2016, 19 monkeys managed to flee the research center, though authorities were able to round them up within six hours. This time, the task is more challenging, as twice as many monkeys are on the loose, and officials warn that they may be harder to find if they scatter further into nearby neighborhoods or wooded areas.
The Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center is one of the most extensive research facilities for primates in the United States. The center supplies primates for clinical trials and other medical research, often involving immunological and neurological studies. According to Alpha Genesis, they maintain high standards of care and security, yet Wednesday night’s escape has left residents uneasy, with some questioning whether additional safety measures should be implemented.
Local law enforcement continues monitoring the situation and asking anyone who spots a monkey to immediately report it by calling 911. In the meantime, authorities remind the public to keep a safe distance, avoid feeding or attempting to capture the animals and remain vigilant until the primates are safely returned to the facility.
