Monkey Business Ends for Now

Last of escaped Yemassee monkeys captured. How did we get here, and what's next?

South Carolina Lowcountry residents and animal rights activists have long known about the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Yemassee. Dubbed “The Monkey Farm” by locals, escapes have been almost as common here as animal rights protests over the years.

In November of 2024, a band of 43 Rhesus monkeys scooted through an unsecured gate and scampered off into the dense woodlands that border Beaufort and Hampton counties, leaving behind a barrage of national media coverage, Internet memes, and even an ongoing congressional investigation.

This week, the last of the runaway primates has finally been recaptured, announced Town of Yemassee officials, after a roughly two-month effort.

Here is how it happened, day by day, week by week, and a glimpse into what’s next.

November 2024

In the wake of the ongoing Alex Murdaugh crime saga, in which a notorious now-disbarred attorney from a legacy legal family was convicted of murdering his family and stealing millions, Hampton County became a hot-topic dateline for journalists and content creators around the world.

Thanks to the Murdaugh media craze, almost anything of note in Hampton County or the surrounding S.C. Lowcountry is readily picked up by the national media outlets, and a mass monkey escape was certainly no exception.

From early November to January 27, local and state officials worked with Alpha Genesis to recover the runaway scientific research monkeys. The effort was almost comical at times for the public following the story, a story clouded with darker overtones of animal rights and welfare issues.

While Alpha Genesis has a clouded backstory and controversial history, the latest storyline began on Wednesday, November 6.

Wednesday, Nov. 6: The breakout

The Town of Yemassee announced on its Facebook page that at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the Yemassee Police Department received an alert from the Alpha Genesis Primate Center regarding the escape of "numerous Rhesus Macaque primates" from their enclosures at the Yemassee facility located at 95 Castle Hall Road.

Initial estimates that night were that roughly 40 monkeys had escaped, officials said.

News of the escape quickly made South Carolina headlines.

Thursday, Nov. 7

The next day, Alpha Genesis confirmed the number of escaped monkeys to be 43 "very young females weighing approximately 6-7 lbs." Alpha Genesis said the animals had never been used for testing due to their young age and size and that "these animals are too young to carry disease."

The Yemassee Police Department, in collaboration with Alpha Genesis, initiated search teams to help locate the escaped primates and entice them with food. Traps and thermal imagery devices were also deployed to locate and capture the animals.

The public was advised to avoid the area. Area residents were urged not to approach any escaped animals, to keep their doors and windows securely closed, and to report any sightings immediately by dialing 911.

The story began to make headlines in national media outlets early that day.

Friday, Nov. 8

Officials said that as of 8 p.m., the monkeys were jumping back and forth around the outside fence, communicating with monkeys on the inside, but no escaped primates had been returned to their enclosures.

Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard told CBS News that the 43 primates escaped after a caretaker failed to secure doors.

Westergaard expressed optimism about the recapture effort, adding that officials were using "Have a Heart" traps, humane traps designed with a trap door system.

The public was also advised to avoid flying drones, which could scare and stress the animals and hinder recapture efforts.

By then, the story had become a hot topic on the Internet and nearby communities, as humorous memes began circulating on social media and enterprising entrepreneurs began marketing "Straight Outta Yemassee" T-shirts and other monkey merchandise.

Officials announced one of the escaped primates had been successfully recovered unharmed. Many of the remaining primates were just a few yards from the property, jumping back and forth over the facility's fence as if taunting their former captors and caretakers.

lpha Genesis worked on the safe recovery of all primates, reminding the public that there was no threat to public health.

The meme-makers and social media chatter urged the monkeys to keep running toward freedom, and random, unconfirmed monkey sightings began in the area.

Sunday, Nov. 10

Westergaard confirmed the successful recovery of an additional 24 primates in one day, bringing the number recovered to 25.

“Veterinarians have been diligently conducting thorough wellness exams throughout the day,” officials said. “Initial reports from the veterinary team indicate that all recovered animals are in good health.”

A sizable group remained active along the fence line and bedded down in the trees for the night, and the search continued.

Monday, Nov. 11

Westergaard informed the Yemassee Police Department that three additional primates had been successfully recovered in good health, bringing the total to 28.

“We sincerely appreciate the community's patience and concern during this time,” said Alpha Genesis and Yemassee officials.

But not everyone was celebrating good health and patience. The animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) released a statement demanding that Alpha Genesis be investigated and any recaptured animals be placed in humane wildlife sanctuaries. One donor couple even offered to make significant donations to help rescue the little simians.

Tuesday, Nov. 12

Two monkeys were captured early in the day and two that afternoon, to bring the total number recovered to 32.

The recovered monkeys reportedly ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner.

Wednesday, Nov. 13

Three more monkeys were captured, bringing the total number recovered to 35, with eight remaining on the loose as winter weather began moving into the area.

PETA released a statement outlining Alpha Genesis's long and controversial history of animal welfare violations, which included several prior escapes.

Thursday, Nov.14 - Saturday, Nov. 16

No additional primates were recovered, mainly due to persistent rain hindering progress, officials said.

The 35 recovered primates are eating well and exhibiting positive behaviors, Alpha Genesis said. The remaining escapees appeared healthy, dancing and running about in the trees, enjoying their newfound freedom.

Sunday, Nov. 17

Two more monkeys were trapped, bringing the number of recovered animals to 37 of 43. In addition to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the monkeys were fed “monkey biscuits (High Protein Purina Monkey Chow, specially formulated for our rhesus macaques)," Alpha Genesis said.

“My background is in behavioral primatology, and I was present when the two animals were recovered today," Westergaard stated to Yemassee officials, citing him on the town's Facebook page. "I can attest with absolute certainty that their spirits were high, and they showed all the outward signs of being happy, well-adjusted monkeys. Two other monkeys were spotted near the traps throughout the afternoon. We are very pleased that the animals recovered thus far are in such good condition and that they show no ill effects from their outdoor adventure… The staff and the Monday, Nov. 18

Two more escaped animals were nabbed, bringing the total to 39.

“The girls from today are in good health, and the others continue to thrive,” Westergaard said. “We’ll be back at it tomorrow. We believe the four monkeys remaining are probably all together either in the area adjacent to our property or somewhere else very close by.”

Nov. 18-Jan. 23

No additional monkeys were recovered. During this period, the remaining monkeys endured weeks of below-freezing weather and several inches of ice and snow in January.

On Nov. 25, The Hampton County Guardian and other USA Today Network - South Carolina papers published a historical feature detailing the Rhesus monkeys tragic place in scientific and medical history.

Monday, Nov. 25

PETA released a statement claiming that whistleblowers inside the Alpha Genesis organization had evidence that several monkeys in captivity were "roasted alive" when a heater malfunctioned inside the primate center, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that it was investigating the reports.

Tuesday, Dec. 10

PETA announced that it had filed a 270-page 'cruelty, neglect' complaint against the Alpha Genesis center, citing a history of numerous violations as well as current allegations of animal welfare problems.

Friday, Jan. 24

Westergaard confirmed to Yemassee officials that all 43 monkeys have been safely recaptured and appear to be in good health, thanking the community for its support and stating, "it was a real team and community effort."

What's next for Alpha Genesis 'monkey farm'?

On Nov.12, Congresswoman Nancy Mace began demanding federal government investigations, asking questions about public tax dollars going to Alpha Genesis, and that inquiry is still ongoing.

Mace, the U.S. representative for South Carolina's 1st District, contacted the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), demanding an inquiry and briefing, calling the recent escape "the latest in a long list of violations from this USDA and NIH-funded laboratory."

“For years, Alpha Genesis has racked up federal contracts and taxpayer dollars while consistently violating animal welfare laws and exposing the public to dangerous escapes,” said Rep. Mace in a three-page letter. “NIH and USDA need to step up and ensure South Carolinians don’t bear the risk of this lab's negligence.” 

In a media statement, Mace's office added:

"Despite receiving over $110 million in taxpayer funding since 2008 — including $19 million this year alone — Alpha Genesis has a disturbing history of animal welfare violations and public safety risks. Housing over 10,000 primates, including 3,300 on NIH’s controversial Monkey Island, the lab has faced frequent federal citations for unsafe enclosures, poor veterinary care, and preventable animal deaths. Yet oversight remains minimal, with recent inspections confirming multiple violations, including escaped primates and fatal neglect."

Mace's office demanded a full briefing from the NIH and USDA.

Mace contended that due to Alpha Genesis' history of allegedly violating federal laws and policies, her office questions the effectiveness of the USDA's and NIH's oversight and use of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars.

"We ask you immediately brief our office on the status of all active contracts your agencies have with Alpha Genesis, the results of inspections conducted by your agencies of Alpha Genesis facilities, your communication with Alpha Genesis pertaining to the recent escape of 43 primates, and your plan for corrective action and increased federal oversight over Alpha Genesis," Mace wrote.

Meanwhile, Alpha Genesis remains a major supplier of non-human primates for medical and scientific research in both private and public sectors, with thousands of monkeys held in captivity across three facilities in lower South Carolina and employs approximately 275 people around the state.

Alpha Genesis did not respond to numerous requests for comment during the three-month escape situation.