Final Four Escapee Monkeys in South Carolina Recaptured After Daring Flight

"Monkeys Escape and Are Recaptured in South Carolina"

After nearly three months, the last four escaped rhesus macaques from a South Carolina research facility were captured, concluding their adventurous saga.

Emily Johnson25 January 2025Last Update : 1 day ago

Last 4 Monkeys That Escaped in South Carolina Are Captured

www.nytimes.com

Nearly three months after 43 monkeys escaped from a research facility in South Carolina, the final four missing monkeys have been captured. This event concluded on January 25, 2025, when authorities announced that all escaped rhesus macaques had been found safe and returned to Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center.

6 Key Takeaways

43 monkeys escaped from research facility
39 captured within two weeks
Final four found after weeks of wandering
Community advised against approaching monkeys
Alpha Genesis has history of animal escapes
Monkeys captured in good health and playful

Fast Answer: After nearly three months of searching, the last four rhesus macaques that escaped from a South Carolina research facility were captured on January 25, 2025. The community was advised not to approach the animals during their time in the wild.

The escape occurred on November 6, 2024, when a caretaker failed to secure an enclosure at Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee. Within two weeks, authorities successfully recaptured 39 of the monkeys. However, four remained elusive for several weeks as they navigated through thick woods and even encountered a rare snowstorm before being safely captured.

During the search for the remaining monkeys, local residents were instructed to avoid approaching them and instead contact law enforcement. Authorities set food-baited traps that proved effective; many of the captured monkeys were found near these traps. Reports indicated that those recaptured in mid-November were healthy and exhibited playful behavior.

The rhesus macaques weigh between six to seven pounds.
Alpha Genesis manages around 7,000 primates for scientific research purposes.
This incident is not unprecedented; Alpha Genesis has faced fines in the past due to containment failures.

The chief executive of Alpha Genesis described the successful capture effort as a “real team and community effort.” While details about how and where the final four monkeys were captured remain unclear, it marks an end to an unusual chapter involving these animals roaming freely in a wooded area.

Notice: Canadian readers should be aware that animal escapes can pose risks both to public safety and wildlife conservation efforts. Local regulations may also apply regarding interactions with wildlife or exotic animals.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about animal management practices at research facilities and underscores community involvement during wildlife-related events. The return of all escaped monkeys ensures their continued care under controlled conditions at Alpha Genesis.