Escaped South Carolina Lab Monkeys Captured After Two Months On The Loose

The final four monkeys that had escaped from a South Carolina research facility in November have been safely captured, bringing an end to their time in the wild. The last of the 43 primates, who had been living in wooded areas near the Alpha Genesis facility, were recovered using peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as bait.

The monkeys originally escaped when an employee reportedly left an enclosure door open, allowing the animals to flee into the surrounding area. Law enforcement and facility staff spent weeks tracking the monkeys, issuing warnings to local residents to secure their homes and contact authorities if they spotted any of the missing animals.

Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard confirmed that all of the recaptured monkeys are in good health and have been returned to the facility. The lab, which specializes in medical research, breeds primates for studies focused on various health conditions, including brain disorders.

The escape raised concerns among local residents and animal welfare advocates. Kathleen Conlee of the Humane Society of the United States voiced concerns over the monkeys’ fate, noting that they could face testing or breeding programs now that they have been recaptured. The organization continues to advocate for non-animal research methods that avoid animal suffering.

This incident was not the first for Alpha Genesis. Reports show that between 2014 and 2016, several monkeys escaped from the facility, with the company receiving citations and fines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for failing to maintain proper containment.

The monkeys’ two-month adventure included surviving heavy rains and the area’s first snowfall in years before they were finally brought back under control.