Missing macaque shot and killed

Bradley's fate revealed…

On Memorial Day, news broke that a missing macaque in Walterboro, South Carolina – a primate that had been running wild throughout town for nearly a week – had been “captured.”

As we reported at the time, the primate's owner informed Colleton County animal control officials that “attempts to capture Bradley were successful.” Initial news reports suggested the animal was safely reunited with its owner, the director of Walterboro Funeral Home. Stephen Herndon.

However, these reports were not accurate…

We started receiving news Monday afternoon that Bradley's “capture” was actually something much more disturbing.

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Sources familiar with the matter say Bradley was shot and killed by a Walterboro resident after the animal allegedly “threatened or attacked” the individual's dogs. The name of the individual – and the location of the shooting – have not been released.

According to our sources, the individual who shot Bradley did so because he “feared for the safety of his animals.”

He may also have had good reasons.

Before the shooting, sources familiar with the matter say Bradley broke into a private residence and also threatened an animal there. The macaque may have had problems with its canines, sources close to its previous habitat said.

Bradley escaped from his habitat – where he had lived for six years – last Thursday (May 23, 2024). Herndon “immediately contacted” the director of animal services Laura Clarkindicating that he believed he would be able to catch Bradley and bring him home using his own resources.

According to our sources, the 15-year-old animal had already fled the first time but was recaptured “almost immediately”. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case this time.

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County officials said Bradley's owner confirmed to them Tuesday that the primate had been shot. They also said the owner confirmed to them that a second macaque living on the property had been moved to another location.

“Coleton County initially assisted Bradley's owner in his search for the missing animal, but no Colleton County personnel or resources were aware of or involved in this incident,” the deputy administrator said County. Meagan Utsey tell us. “We have no information about what happened except what the owner shared with us.”

Japanese macaques – aka “snow monkeys” (Macaca fuscata) – are very intelligent primates. They excel at climbing, swinging and swimming. Males average about 25 pounds and can live up to thirty years.

Bradley escapes from social media sensation to national media coverage. However, intense public interest reportedly hampered efforts to save him.

Count on this outlet to provide additional updates on this developing story as they become available…

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Do people is the founding editor of the media outlet you are currently reading. Before founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina and before that, he was a bass player and dive bar bouncer. He lives in the Midlands with his wife and eight children..

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