Additional Coverage:
Yemassee, SC – Four escaped monkeys, the last of a group of 43, have finally been recaptured after two months on the run. The monkeys escaped from the Alpha Genesis breeding facility in Yemassee, sometimes referred to as “the monkey farm,” back in November.
The all-female group of rhesus macaques weathered a rare snowstorm during their time in the woods. They were eventually lured back to their enclosure with tempting treats like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and “monkey biscuits.”
Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard, in a statement shared by Yemassee Police, reported the monkeys appear to be in good health. No further details on their condition were released.
The monkeys, each about the size of a cat and weighing around seven pounds, primarily stayed near the facility. Their escape was attributed to an employee unintentionally leaving gates unlocked. Proper procedure involves securing one gate before opening another, but all three gates were left open.
Neither Alpha Genesis, federal health officials, nor police considered the monkeys a public health risk. Alpha Guard employees monitored the monkeys and used humane traps to recapture them.
Alpha Genesis breeds the monkeys for medical research. Rhesus macaques share a significant amount of DNA with humans and have been used in scientific studies for over a century. The facility is located near Yemassee, South Carolina.