Yemassee Primate Research Center has a history of failures: 2022 federal inspection report

43 monkeys escaped from the Alpha Genesis Primate Research Center in Beaufort County on Wednesday

YEMASSEE, SC (WCIV) – Federal inspection reports on Alpha Genesis at Yemassee obtained by ABC News shed new light on the center’s operations.

Six separate incidents of monkeys opening or escaping their main enclosures were documented between January and August 2022, according to federal inspection records.

In response, the report says, the facility subsequently repaired its weakened chain link areas and stopped using cages that the monkeys could open.

During the same period from January to August 2022, six separate incidents of monkeys being returned to incorrect enclosures were documented, according to inspection records. A monkey was found dead due to trauma caused by the resident monkeys in this fake enclosure.

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The report said that following these incidents, the facility revised its standard operating procedures for animal returns to enclosures and made changes to how animal returns were conducted and monitored.

In two separate incidents in July 2022, two monkeys had their fingers caught in structures in their enclosures and were found dead with the fingers still trapped, the inspection report said. Rare observations may result in captive monkeys not being identified in a timely manner.

According to the report, the facility has made improvements to its operations for daily monkey observation.

At the time of publication, the last update News 4 received from the Yemassee Police Department was that Alpha Genesis had heard and seen the monkeys at the rear of the facility, but none had been recovered.

Authorities are urging anyone who comes into contact with the monkeys not to approach them but to report to authorities immediately.