Monkey Caught After Escaping in South Carolina
Monkey on the Loose in South Carolina Reunited with Owner (Unfortunately Deceased)
A recent escape by a primate in South Carolina has come to a close. Bradley, a 15-year-old macaque, went missing from his habitat in Walterboro on Thursday. Thankfully, Colleton County Animal Services reports he has been captured.
Local residents received a heads-up from the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook. The post alerted them to a primate loose in the area, around 48 miles west of Charleston. The owner initially attempted to capture Bradley themselves but called for assistance when unsuccessful.
While details surrounding the capture are unclear, animal services expressed their gratitude to the community for their overwhelming support and concern. They particularly appreciated the public’s focus on animal welfare during this situation.
Bradley, as animal services confirmed, has resided in Walterboro for the past six years. Unfortunately, the search efforts were hampered by the significant media attention, as curious onlookers made it more difficult for the owner to recapture Bradley. Professionals were brought in to aid the reunion.
Public Warned to Avoid Contact with Monkey
A photo captured by a local resident showed the primate with a reddish face, resembling a macaque or baboon species. Another resident initially dismissed their grandmother’s sighting of the “monkey,” assuming it was the heat playing tricks. However, they soon confirmed the sighting themselves. A video shared with CNN even showed Bradley walking on top of a shed.
Residents were advised to avoid approaching the primate as it could be stressed, and to simply report any sightings. Additionally, they were asked to monitor their pets as a precaution. Local news station WLTX reported that the primate had attempted to attack a resident’s dog.
The origin of Bradley’s arrival in Walterboro and how he escaped remain unclear. While South Carolina law prohibits the ownership of great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans), keeping other wild animals as pets is legal. Smaller primates appear to be a loophole in the state’s wildlife possession regulations.
