Primate Escape Rocks Beaufort County

40 Primates Loose After Research Facility Incident

County officials working to contain situation, residents urged to remain cautious

Officials in Beaufort County are facing a hairy situation after 40 primates escaped from a research facility over the weekend. The animals, which include monkeys and apes, are believed to be loose in the surrounding area and residents are being urged to remain cautious.

The escape occurred on Saturday afternoon at the Primate Research Center in Beaufort. According to a statement from the center, the animals managed to escape from their enclosures after a power outage caused the security system to fail.

Police and animal control officers are currently searching for the escaped primates. So far, 10 of the animals have been recaptured, but the remaining 30 are still at large. The public is being asked to report any sightings of the animals to the authorities.

The escaped primates are not considered to be dangerous to humans, but they can be unpredictable. Residents are advised to avoid approaching the animals and to call 911 if they see one.