4 Monkeys Remain Together Following Escape [Video]

Weeks after 43 monkeys escaped from a Beaufort County research facility, four that remain at large are still being monitored by staff. The rhesus macaques fled Alpha Genesis near Yemassee on Nov. 7, and CEO Greg Westergaard said Sunday that the group of four is often spotted together in trees.

“The four monkeys look good, and engage in species-typical behaviors such as grooming and tree-climbing,” Westergaard said. “I could have them darted but have not given that directive because it could pose a danger to the monkeys and since they are doing well we are just waiting for them to go in the traps.”

According to WCCB, the other 39 escaped monkeys have been recaptured and are healthy. Westergaard confirmed that there was no structural failure at the facility, which has two gates leading into the monkey enclosure. He speculated that human error, rather than malice, may have been to …