One Escaped Monkey Returned to Facility; 42 Remain on the Loose in Yemassee

Authorities have successfully captured one of the escaped monkeys from a Yemassee facility, but a significant number of others are still at large, creating an ongoing situation for local law enforcement and wildlife officials. As of Friday, 42 monkeys remain loose after a group of primates escaped from a USDA-licensed breeding facility on Thursday, sparking concern and excitement in the surrounding community.

The escaped monkeys, which are part of a research facility, were able to break free after an undetermined series of events. The facility, located in Yemassee, South Carolina, is licensed to breed and house animals for medical and scientific research. The exact details surrounding the escape remain unclear, but it has been confirmed that the monkeys, a mix of macaques, were able to escape their enclosures and flee into the surrounding woods.

The initial discovery of the escape prompted an immediate response from local authorities and animal control teams. As soon as the breach was detected, law enforcement and wildlife officials began tracking the escaped animals. One monkey was quickly captured and safely returned to the facility, but the remaining 42 continue to evade capture.

The escaped monkeys, described as rhesus macaques, are not considered to be a direct threat to humans, though officials have cautioned the public to avoid interaction with the animals. Rhesus macaques are known to be highly intelligent and adaptable, which could make them difficult to track and contain.

Local residents have expressed concern about the situation, with some calling for increased efforts to capture the remaining monkeys. While the animals are not typically aggressive toward humans, their presence in the community is still a cause for concern, particularly if they approach homes, roads, or areas with heavy foot traffic.

Efforts to locate and recapture the remaining 42 monkeys have been complicated by the animals’ ability to blend into their natural environment. According to authorities, the monkeys have scattered into the dense woods surrounding the facility, making it challenging to track them down. Local wildlife experts and animal control teams are working together to monitor the area and search for the primates.

Specialized traps are being used to capture the monkeys, and authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant. The animals have been known to climb trees and jump between structures, which further complicates the search efforts. Law enforcement agencies are coordinating with animal welfare groups to ensure the safe recapture of the monkeys.

The facility where the escape occurred is known for its work with primates, and it is unclear how the breach happened. Animal rights groups have raised concerns about the facility’s practices, given the nature of the research that the animals are involved in. However, the facility itself has not commented publicly on the specifics of the escape.

While officials have emphasized that the monkeys do not pose a direct threat to human safety, residents in the surrounding area have been advised to stay alert. The monkeys are not accustomed to interacting with people, and their wild behavior could make them unpredictable.

Yemassee Police Chief, Michael R. Barrett, stated that the department is working closely with federal authorities and wildlife agencies to bring the situation to a safe resolution. “We are taking every precaution to ensure public safety while focusing on safely returning the animals to the facility,” he said.

Local animal welfare groups have also been involved in the efforts to recapture the monkeys, offering their expertise in handling and safely returning the animals to their enclosures. Experts believe that the escapees will eventually return to the facility’s vicinity due to their familiarity with the area, but the ongoing search continues as teams work to bring them in one by one.

The escape has raised questions about the safety measures in place at the breeding facility, and further investigations will likely be conducted to determine how the monkeys were able to escape in the first place. The USDA has been notified, and officials from the agency will likely review the incident as part of the larger oversight of facilities involved in animal breeding and research.

For now, the focus remains on the search for the remaining 42 monkeys, with local law enforcement and animal control teams prioritizing the safety of both the public and the animals. Authorities are asking anyone who spots a monkey to avoid approaching it and to immediately call law enforcement to assist with the capture.

While the situation is ongoing, officials remain hopeful that the escapees will be captured soon. In the meantime, the public is urged to report any sightings and to remain cautious in the area.