Yemassee, S.C.: Update on the Escape of Rhesus Macaques at Alpha Genesis
Just last week, a rather unusual incident unfolded in Yemassee, South Carolina, capturing the attention of local residents and lawmakers alike. A whopping 43 monkeys managed to escape from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research facility, prompting swift action from authorities and raising questions about safety and oversight at the facility.
What Happened?
The escape occurred when an employee—whose name has intentionally been withheld—was suspected of leaving doors open. According to Greg Westergaard, the CEO of Alpha Genesis, this employee’s supervisor approached her shortly after the escape to indicate that her job was on the line if it was determined that she acted negligently. Once faced with the seriousness of the situation, the employee walked off the job and hasn’t returned since.
As of Thursday afternoon, the good news is that 35 of the escaped monkeys have been successfully rounded up. “They are all in good health,” Westergaard reassured the public. However, there are still eight monkeys that remain at large in the surrounding area, and local authorities are working diligently to bring them back.
Congresswoman Takes Action
The escapade of these monkeys has sparked quite a bit of concern in the community, leading to a call for heightened scrutiny of the Alpha Genesis facility. South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace has stepped in, launching an inquiry to get to the bottom of the situation. Her office is demanding a comprehensive briefing from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), asking for detailed documents about the facility’s active contracts, inspections, and any communication regarding the escape.
Rep. Mace expressed her determination to unravel the mystery behind the facility’s operations, stating, “This is not the first time primates have escaped. We want to make sure that there’s oversight to what is actually happening at this facility and that we get all the answers for the local community both in Yemassee, Beaufort County, and beyond.” For context, it has been noted that Alpha Genesis received an astonishing $19 million in taxpayer funding this year alone, which has raised eyebrows about how that money is being used.
Facilitating Recovery Operations
In light of the escape, local law enforcement agencies have stepped up patrols around Alpha Genesis. The effort has been aided by the NIH, USDA, and local police, who have been using food as bait to entice the remaining monkeys back to safety. The macaques, according to reports, have never been involved in any research and are not known to carry any disease, but it’s advised that if anyone spots one, they should refrain from approaching it and instead report it to the facility by calling 866-789-6665.
Looking Ahead
Amidst the capture efforts, it’s important to note that an investigation has revealed that Alpha Genesis has faced several past violations related to animal welfare, with eight incidents reported since 2022. However, Westergaard pointed out that recent inspections show no violations, suggesting improvements may have been made.
As the local community watches closely, it’s clear that this ongoing drama has sparked important conversations about animal safety, welfare, and the responsibilities of research facilities. For the people of Yemassee, the safety of both the monkeys and the community remains a top priority as efforts continue to round up the last of the escaped primates.
