Extinct Walterboro primate identified as Bradley, Japanese macaque | News

WALTERBORO — A primate that escaped its habitat and spurred search teams and widespread social media attention has been identified as Bradley.

Bradley was still missing as of 10:30 a.m. on May 26. He escaped on May 23.

Bradley is a 15-year-old Japanese macaque who has lived in Walterboro for six years, according to Colleton County Animal Services. Japanese macaques are sometimes called snow monkeys and are the species of least concern in terms of vulnerability, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They are found on three of Japan's four main islands, according to the National Primate Research Center at the University of Wisconsin.

Bradley's owner immediately contacted county animal services, said Laura Clark, Colleton County animal services director. Animal Services initially thought they could capture Bradley using their own resources.

Clark said the level of public and media attention has people searching for Bradley, making it difficult to secure the primate.

“Professionals have been hired to help bring him home and our animal control team is also assisting in attempts to return him to the safety of his habitat,” she said in a statement.

Clark said Bradley is a wild animal but is not considered dangerous or aggressive toward people or other animals.

Colleton County Sheriff's Office Detective Laura Rutland previously said someone reported that Bradley attacked a dog in her yard and advised the public to take care of their pets.

Clark asked people who spot Bradley to keep their distance and call a temporary line set up for capturing the primate at 843-898-6113.

“The community is very involved in this issue and we hope they will contact us and help us find Bradley and bring him home,” she said in a statement.