WALTERBORO, S.C. — The search for a loose monkey in Walterboro, South Carolina, has come to an end, according to the Colleton County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said the animal's owner was attempting to capture it and called in assistance. The sheriff's office says that the search happened in the Mallard Street area in Northwest Walterboro.
Residents were being asked to not approach the animal, as a primate on the loose could be stressed and pose a risk to humans.
"We had issues with it being chased or run off by citizens, making it difficult for the owner to capture him so we are asking the public to not approach the animal and only report sightings," a sheriff's office spokesperson told WLTX.
The sheriff said the monkey, who is named Bradley, was found unharmed.
It is illegal to own a "large wild cat, non-native bear or great ape" in South Carolina. Lawmakers passed that law in 2017 to prevent potential tragedies.
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