The last four of 43 rhesus macaque monkeys who fled from a breeding facility in South Carolina have been securely re-captured after two months of evasion. After surviving the winter in the wild and avoiding several attempts to get them back, the monkeys were eventually lured into humane traps using peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
On November 6, a staffer neglected to completely secure the rhesus macaques’ enclosure, causing the females, who are roughly the size of a domestic cat, to escape Alpha Genesis. The establishment, known locally as the monkey farm, is close to Yemassee and raises monkeys for scientific purposes.
Officials informed the public that there was no health risk from the monkeys during the search. Police, Alpha Genesis employees, and federal health officials kept a careful eye on the situation and used food and humane traps to entice the monkeys back into confinement. The traps were filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as well as monkey biscuits, a high-protein Purina Monkey Chow made especially for the species.
The monkeys stayed in the wooded areas around the facility, which is about 50 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia, and a mile from downtown Yemassee.
Since the late 19th century, Alpha Genesis has bred rhesus macaques for scientific and medical research. Because they share almost 93% of the same DNA as humans, these monkeys are valuable for their genetic resemblance.
Although the surrounding community was intrigued and perhaps alarmed by the escape, all forty-three of the monkeys were eventually found and safely accounted for. The incident highlights the difficulties in monitoring sizable populations of animals bred for study, but authorities and Alpha Genesis have not disclosed any more security measures in the wake of the tragedy.
With the remaining escapees back in their enclosure and no indication of any new monkey activity, things in Yemassee are currently returning to normal.