World of the Bizarre

Real-life 'Planet of the Apes' as 43 monkeys escape from lab

By T.K. Randall
November 8, 2024

Image: Japanese Macaque
Credit: Alfonsopazphoto / CC BY-SA 3.0 (adapted) In an incident that sounds like the opening scenes from a Planet of the Apes movie, authorities in the small town of Yemassee have been trying to track down a large group of monkeys that managed to escape a local laboratory after a caretaker reportedly failed to secure the doors properly.

"They are believed to be in the wooded region surrounding the facility," the Yemassee Police Department wrote on Facebook.

"The staff at Alpha Genesis are currently attempting to entice the animals back using food in order to ensure their safe capture."

Those worried about the monkeys spreading some sort of experimental virus needn't be, however, as the animals are all too young to have actually been used as part of any testing.They are also not thought to otherwise pose any risk to the general public.

"We urge anyone who sights or encounters one of these animals to contact 911 immediately and to refrain from approaching or interacting with them," the police department wrote.

"These animals are highly sensitive and easily startled, we recommend that the public to avoid the area to prevent frightening them further."

Anyone living in the area has also been advised to keep their home secure.

"Residents are strongly advised to keep doors and windows secured to prevent these animals from entering homes," the department said.

Source: Gizmodo

Tags: Monkeys, Apes