South Carolina Grapples with Dual Animal Escapes: Monkeys and Emus on the Loose

In a bizarre series of events, South Carolina is dealing with the escape of two different groups of animals. The most recent incident involves two large emus, named Thelma and Louise, that have been on the loose in Horry County. According to the Horry County Police Department, the emus escaped when they were being moved to another paddock and decided to “hop the fence”. The owner, Sam Morace, described the emus as “feral and not trained” and noted that they have been loose for about three months. Despite efforts to capture them, including a potential tranquilizer, the emus remain at large.

This incident follows the escape of 43 monkeys from the Alpha Genesis medical research facility in Beaufort County. The monkeys, rhesus macaque primates, escaped after a caretaker failed to secure their enclosure gate. As of the latest reports, 32 of the monkeys have been recaptured, but several remain at large. The escape has prompted calls for a federal investigation, with South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace advocating for a probe into the research facility’s practices.

The community is actively involved in both cases, with some residents spotting the emus and reporting their sightings. However, capturing the emus has proven challenging due to their size and ferocity; one of the emus had previously defended itself against three wild dogs, killing them in the process.

The situation highlights concerns about animal safety and the management of research facilities. While there is currently no risk to the community from the emus, the ongoing search for both the monkeys and the emus continues to be a significant concern for local authorities and residents.