Escaped monkey in Walterboro 'not captured alive,' officials say

Bradley, a 15-year-old Japanese macaque, enjoys the front porch of a Walterboro home. This photo is provided by Colleton County Animal Control.

WALTERBORO, SC (WCBD) – Bradley, a monkey that escaped from its habitat and avoided capture for days last week, was not captured alive, officials say.

The search for Bradley – a 15-year-old Japanese macaque – began last Thursday after the monkey escaped from its habitat in the Walterboro area until being “captured” on Monday.

Bradley's owner immediately contacted Colleton County Animal Services (CCAS) when the primate escaped; however, the owner felt he could catch the primate using his own resources.

Colleton County Animal Control joined forces to find the animal Friday evening and the search extended into Monday. Attempts to capture Bradley were hampered by increased community interest.

In announcing that the animal was recovered over the holidays, Animal Control said that, according to its owner, the attempts were successful. In an update Thursday afternoon, Colleton County officials told News 2 the monkey was not captured alive, but did not say how the animal died.

“Coleton County initially assisted the owner in his search for the missing animal; however, no Colleton County staff or resources were involved in this incident. We have no information about what happened except what the owner shared with us,” said Colleton County Deputy Administrator Meagan Utsey.

News 2 has contacted Colleton County Animal Control for more information. We are waiting for an answer.