Authorities in South Carolina announced Tuesday that two more of the 43 Rhesus macaque monkeys who recently escaped from the Alpha Genesis breeding facility have been recaptured and are back at the compound. These two monkeys were found snacking on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and appear to be in good health.
The latest captures bring the total number of returned monkeys to 32, with 11 still roaming outside the facility. The escape occurred on November 6 when an employee failed to properly secure an enclosure, allowing the primates to get out. The remaining monkeys have been spotted near the facility’s perimeter and can often be heard by Alpha Genesis staff monitoring the area, with traps set nearby to aid their safe return.
The Alpha Genesis compound, located in Yemassee, South Carolina, around 50 miles from Savannah, Georgia, breeds Rhesus macaques for scientific research. These monkeys, all females weighing about 7 pounds, share about 93% of human DNA, making them important for medical research. The facility reassures the public that the escaped monkeys pose no health risk and advises people to avoid contact if they see them, including refraining from flying drones in the area, as the animals may be easily spooked.
Efforts to bring the remaining monkeys back will continue for as long as necessary, officials confirmed.