"We literally got Planet of the Apes irl before GTA 6" — Internet reacts to 43 monkeys escaping from South Carolina research facility
On Wednesday, November 6, a total of 43 monkeys escaped from a research facility in South Carolina. Yemassee Police Department issued an official statement via Facebook the next day, confirming that rhesus macaque primates got out of Alpha Genesis, a Beaufort Country facility that develops "nonhuman primate products and bio-research services."
In their post, the police also mentioned that Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard told CBS about primates escaping the facility "after a caretaker failed to secure doors." According to their statement, the monkeys belonged to a group of very young females and were too young to carry any diseases.
The police officials are reportedly working to recapture the primates by setting traps and using thermal imaging cameras.
As per the Facebook post, the Yemassee Sheriff's Department advised residents of the area to keep their doors and windows closed to prevent the animals from entering private spaces. Furthermore, the statement warned residents not to interact with the monkeys and to call 911 if anyone spots one.
Netizens hopped on to X to share jokes and their opinions on the debacle. Many compared the incident to the popular film franchise Planet of the Apes. Some popular reactions on social media read:
"We literally got Planet of the Apes IRL before GTA 6," commented a user on X.
“A new virus has been released into the world,” joked another.
"Planet of the Apes was a documentary then. It's happening be aware," opined another individual.
One social media user joked that Donald Trump was to blame for their evolution.
"They’re evolving and it’s Trump to blame," wrote the fan on X.
"Imagine walking down the street and 40 monkeys pull up on you," another user chimed in.
"Oh, great. Just what everyone wanted for bedtime stories tonight - the tale of the Great Monkey Escape. I'm sure the children will sleep soundly knowing there's a primate party happening in their backyards. And hey, who needs a home security system when you've got a bunch of research monkeys potentially testing your window locks? Better secure those bananas, folks!" wrote another user.
One user wrote about the chaos in the neighborhood when they escaped the facility:
"That's crazy! I wonder how they managed to escape in the first place. I can just picture the chaos in the neighborhood!," an X user commented.
"We all know what they mean when they say "research facility" and we all know what they do to these monkeys in there, right?" opined another.
"Welp time for most of South Carolina to call off work today," inferred another fan on X.
Alpha Genesis Inc. was reportedly fined heavily for mishandling monkeys between December 2014 and February 2016
According to a report by The Post and Courier, Alpha Genesis Inc. was fined $12,600 for allegedly mishandling several dozen monkeys between December 2014 and February 2015.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released documents that highlighted several alleged violations concerning the monkeys against the company. For instance, in December 2014, 26 monkeys escaped after their enclosure wasn't secured properly. Almost a year later in August 2015, a monkey was reportedly killed by other primates after the former was placed in an incorrect social group.
Meanwhile, Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN), a group that keeps track of research facilities and works to prevent the exploitation of animals, released records obtained from the federal government concerning other reported violations made by Alpha Genesis Inc.
In December 2014, a monkey escaped its transfer cage while being shifted to a medical clinic but was never recaptured. A few months later, at least six primates were reportedly suffering from dehydration after workers accidentally switched off a water supply line.
Other instances of alleged violations include killing a monkey with a dart after two of them escaped an enclosure in June 2015. Another incident of a monkey escaping its enclosure happened in February 2016. The Post and Courier further reported that the USDA revealed at least five monkeys had died in the facility between 2011 and 2012.
Michael A. Budkie, the co-founder and Executive Director of Stop Animal Exploitation Now, wrote a letter to the director of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. As stated on the animal rights group's website, Budkie mentioned that the fine amount wasn't enough considering the extent of the alleged violations.
“While it is important that Alpha Genesis WAS ACTUALLY FINED, it is also extremely disappointing that the fine was only $12,600,” wrote Budkie in the letter in September 2020.
In a July 2017 interview with The Post and Courier, Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard acknowledged the violations but also stated that many of them were self-reported by Alpha Genesis Inc.