40 ‘Test’ Monkeys Escape from South Carolina Research Facility

In a bizarre twist fit for a Hollywood thriller, forty ‘research’ monkeys have gone missing from a medical facility in Yemassee, South Carolina.

Police have launched a frantic search to locate the escaped primates, which vanished from the Alpha Genesis research center on Castle Hall Road on Wednesday night. The Yemassee Police Department sounded the alarm, warning local residents to stay vigilant.

The department’s Facebook post revealed that as of 9:45 p.m., the monkeys were still on the loose. “Traps have been set up around the area, and the Yemassee Police Department is currently on-site utilizing thermal imaging cameras in an attempt to locate the animals,” the police statement read.

Residents are being urged to keep their doors and windows securely locked, as officials work to contain what could turn into an unprecedented monkey invasion. Authorities have warned locals not to approach the animals, emphasizing that if anyone spots the primates, they should call 911 immediately.

“We appreciate your patience and cooperation,” the post concluded, promising additional updates as they come in.

For those unfamiliar, Alpha Genesis is one of the largest nonhuman primate research facilities in the U.S., supplying primate “products” and bio-research services to labs worldwide. According to its website, the company says it is “dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of monkeys and all other living creatures.”

But this isn’t the first time Alpha Genesis has faced such a mishap. Back in 2016, 19 monkeys escaped from the same facility, though they were recaptured within six hours. The latest incident has reignited concerns over the safety protocols at the center. What exactly goes on behind the fences of this vast primate compound remains unclear, as both Alpha Genesis and Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander have yet to respond to media inquiries.

With thermal imaging cameras scanning the night, residents are left wondering: just what kind of research involves these monkeys? And why, after years of operation, does the facility still struggle with security breaches?

For now, Yemassee holds its breath, bracing for what might come next in this wild tale of primates on the run.