--- title: "Monkeys That Escaped Research Facility Still on the Loose, Authorities Say" description: "  On Wednesdady, news emerged that over 40 research monkeys had broken free from a research facility in South Carolina. The local police department confirmed the 43 macaques had" date: "2024-11-08" modified: "2024-11-08" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/monkeys-escaped-research-facility-loose" categories: - "Future Society" --- # Monkeys That Escaped Research Facility Still on the Loose, Authorities Say ![]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## 2(8) Days Later On Wednesdady, news emerged that [over 40 research monkeys had broken free]() from a research facility in South Carolina. The local Yemassee Police Department [confirmed]() that a total of 43 macaques had escaped from a facility run by Alpha Genesis, one of the largest monkey breeders in the world — because their keepers forgot to keep doors to their enclosures shut. And according to the latest reports, the monkeys still on the run in the forested region surrounding the facility near Yamassee, South Carolina. Law enforcement [told *USA Today*]() on Friday that while the furry rascals have since been located, recapturing them may prove difficult. Footage obtained by the [*Daily Mail* reportedly shows]() the monkeys scuttling off into the nearby woods. Fortunately, the situation is unlikely to turn into a "28 Days Later"-like apocalypse, because the six-to-seven-pound females are "too young to carry disease," as an Alpha Genesis spokesperson told police, per *USA Today*. "We want to assure the community that there is no health risk associated with these animals," the police confirmed on Wednesday. ## Human Error According to the report, Alpha Genesis staff are "attempting to entice the animals back using food." Unsurprisingly, authorities are also advising local residents from approaching the animals or interacting with them in any way. "These animals are highly sensitive and easily startled," the Yemassee Police Department said in a statement. "The public is advised to avoid the area as these animals are described as skittish and any additional noise or movement could hinder their safe capture." "The incident yesterday involved a new enclosure, and occurred because the caretaker who was doing routine cleaning and feeding failed to secure two separate," Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard [told *NBC*](). "It was purely human error." It's not even the first time monkeys have escaped from the same Alpha Genesis facility. In 2016, 19 of the animals slipped free — but were promptly returned just six hours later. **More on the situation:** *[Police Warn Homeowners to Lock Down Houses as Dozens of Monkeys Escape Research Facility]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()