40 monkeys escape from 'Yemassee monkey farm' in Beaufort, Hampton Co.: Here's what we know

(This story has been updated with new information.)

YEMASSEE, SC — If you live in Hampton County, you know that local legends abound about rogue, runaway primates at the "Yemassee monkey farm," and many locals can't drive by the facility without someone in the car cracking jokes: "Wanna stop and say hello to your relatives?" "If you kids don't quiet down back there I'm going to put you out here with the rest of the monkeys!"

But escaped monkeys are no joke in Hampton and Beaufort counties this week, as local police and town officials alert the public about approximately 40 primates that escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center Wednesday night.

Yemassee Town Administrator Matt Garnes told The Hampton County Guardian that the escape occurred around 9 p.m. Wednesday and news of the mischievous monkeys was posted shortly after on the Facebook pages of the Yemassee Police Department and the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.

"These are the smaller type of breeds," said Garnes, "We're not talking about Caesar of the Planet of the Apes. But if you spot any primates, don't approach or try to interact with them, or feed them, call 911."

The center houses, at two sites, approximately 5,000 monkeys from Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Species include marmosets, cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, African Greens, and several New World species.

The primates escaped from the site on Castle Hall Road, which is in Beaufort County, but Alpha Genesis also has a site in Hampton County. Garnes added that the YPD, BCSO, and Alpha Genesis are working together to corral these strays.

The YPD informed citizens Thursday morning that traps have been set around the area, and the YPD is currently on-site utilizing thermal imaging cameras in an attempt to locate the animals. The rainy weather is hampering their efforts, however.

"Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes," warns the YPD. "If you spot any of the escaped animals, please contact 911 immediately and refrain from approaching them. We appreciate your patience and cooperation, further updates will be released as they become available."

At 10:18 a.m. Thursday, the YPD posted on its social media accounts the exact number and species of missing animals: 43 Rhesus macaque primates. The local police added that none had been recaptured at that point.

Rhesus macaque average about 19-25 inches in length, excluding the tail, and males average about 11 kg. in weight, with females about 8.5 kg., according to brittanica.com. Rhesus monkeys, which have orange legs and rumps, can thrive in a variety of climates and habitats.

Alpha Genesis spokespersons have not immediately returned phone calls seeking comment and additional information.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time monkeys have "made a break for it" and absconded from custody in the Town of Yemassee, said Garnes, confirming the truth behind local legends.

"It has happened before," he confirmed. "The escapes are few and far between, but they have happened. They've gotten out and they were later recaptured and okay."Garnes declined to comment on rumors that some wild monkeys still live in the Yemassee area and that some locals put food out for them at night.

The Hampton County Guardian published an in-depth feature on the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in 2011, and you can read more below.

Yemassee 'monkey farm' has Murdaugh crime saga connection

Of course, like most things in Hampton County these days, the "Yemassee monkey farm" has a connection to the Alex Murdaugh murder trial and international crime saga.

During Murdaugh's spring 2023 double murder trial, it was revealed during jury selection that one of the jurors, Juror 785, now identified as Myra Crosby, worked at the monkey farm. That information was later leaked online, to the dissatisfaction of many true crime fans following the trial.

Crosby, also known as "The Egg Lady" or "The Egg Juror" because she took a dozen eggs with her when she was dismissed from the jury for alleged improper conduct, has since published a book "Because Enough is Enough."

In that book, Crosby discusses why she feels she was improperly dismissed from the jury and alleges that perhaps Murdaugh did not receive a fair trial.

More about the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center

In 2011, the author visited the center for a behind-the-scenes, first-hand look, and The Hampton County Guardian published an in-depth feature on the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in 2011. Here are the highlights below:

After driving through the spooky, Spanish-moss-covered darkness of Old Sheldon Road a Southern sense of mystery and mischief starts kicking in, and tales of wild monkeys in the forests abound, but there's more science than mystery going on at Alpha Genesis' Yemassee primate center on Castle Hall Road, president and CEO Dr. Greg Westergaard told The Hampton County Guardian during a 2011 interview.

"We get a lot of unusual calls from around here with alleged 'sightings'," said Westergaard. "One lady said she saw seven or eight gorillas. Usually it is a possum, a raccoon, or a cat."

Other passersby often whisper amongst themselves, "I wonder what all they do to the monkeys in there?"

The facility certainly has been the talk of the nearby town, and the target of animal rights groups.

In 2008 the center was the victim of a hoax bomb threat. A national animal rights group staged a protest in 1998. In 2011, a group from Savannah Animal Advocacy staged a peaceful protest outside the facility.

But Westergaard wants people to know more about the monkey business that goes on at his center, which primarily breeds and houses primates which are often an important tool in developing cures for countless diseases.

His job is to raise healthy, well-cared for animals. Animals are mostly grouped as they are in the wild, with seven or eight females per male. Mature females typically produce an offspring every year throughout their life span.

"We are primarily a breeding facility. Our overall goal is monkey health and monkey reproduction. We want them to be healthy, happy, and reproducing.

"We mostly raise animals for research purposes," he added. "We do some behavioral research here, and we do studies that are fairly low impact, like drawing blood. None of the animals here are infected with any diseases, and the studies don't represent any danger to the monkeys or the people here."

Established in 1964, the original colony was created to provide animals for polio vaccine research. Today the center houses approximately 5,000 monkeys from Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Species include marmosets, cynomolgus and rhesus macaques, African Greens, and several New World species.

Animals raised in Yemassee are sold only to USDA-licensed research facilities, says Alpha Genesis, where they are used in compliance with current legal and ethical practices to further vaccine development and cures for a wide range of diseases: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and more.

"Everyone has been touched by all these diseases. You need a population that you can test possible lifesaving procedures on. Do you use humans, or a minimal number of nonhuman primates? You only have so many choices," Westergaard said.

"I fully support alternatives to using animals for research... but I don't see any way around it at this time. But I also support medical advancements that can help large numbers of people. Our goal is to keep the animals as healthy as possible, and use as few as possible."

The Yemassee Primate Center is actually two sites totaling 35 acres, one in Hampton County on Old Salkehatchie Road and the most visible one on Castle Hall Road in Beaufort County. In 2011 the center employed 70 people, most of them locals, many of them longtime employees.

"The majority of our staff is dedicated directly to caring for the monkeys. With feeding and sanitation, it's very labor intensive. It's like running a small city," Westergaard said.

Animals, identified by chest tattoos and painted arm markings, are housed in indoor facilities as well as outdoor corrals up to 20-feet tall. Employees use these markings to observe and record information on these animals in a huge database.

Westergaard holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Washington in Seattle. He uses his expertise to help find ways to minimize fighting among the monkeys and maximize compatibility.

"They all have their individual personalities, likes, and dislikes. They have their friends they hang out with, they have the monkeys they don't hang out with. Anything you can imagine at a cocktail party, without the cocktails," he said.

The staff members often pick favorites and make friends with various monkeys, even giving them pet names. The center employs fulltime vets as well as several vet technicians. Each animal is observed at least twice a day, seven days a week, to monitor their overall health. Staffers wear protective masks, gloves, and clothing for the protection of both themselves and the primates.

"Monkeys and humans are very closely related. If you have a cold, it's very likely that could give it to one of the monkeys," he added. "It's a lot like running a nursery: if one gets sick it spreads pretty quickly."

Employees also build toys and all sorts of "monkey bars" for the primates to play with.

"Nonhuman primates are very intelligent and they like to keep there hands busy," Westergaard said.

In addition to the Monkey Chow (yes, it's made by Purina), monkeys also get a regular visit from a fruit truck.

But back to the monkey tales. Have there ever been any escapees? Could monkeys survive on their own in the Lowcountry?

"It's extremely rare that an animal gets out - since I've been here only one or two have gotten out and not been found," said Westergaard. "Generally they jump back in to be with their pals. The rhesus monkeys would probably be all right on their own, but the rest wouldn't do well without heat in the winter."

According to its website, Alpha Genesis is AAALAC accredited (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care) and has an extensive Ethics and Compliance Program to ensure that employees comply with all legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements.

For more information on Alpha Genesis, go to AlphaGenesisInc.com.