Primates escape from Yemassee, SC research facility [Video]

YEMASSEE, S.C. — Yemassee police say they are working to locate over 40 primates that have escaped from a research facility in South Carolina. 

Police say the 43 primates  escaped from the Alpha Genesis facility on Castle Hall Road in Yemassee just before 1 p.m. Wednesday. Police said they were Rhesus macaque primates. In an update Thursday, none had been captured. 

The primates are described as “very young females” that weigh approximately 6 to 7 pounds. The animals hadn’t been used for testing due to their age and size, and Yemessee Police said Thursday they were too young to carry disease. 

According to the company’s Facebook page, “Alpha Genesis provides mission-critical research and development support to the scientific community.”  

Alpha Genesis told police they had eyes on the animals and were working to entice them with food. They warn the public not to …