COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. — Bradley the monkey, whose disappearance in South Carolina last week sparked state and national attention, is dead.
The Japanese Macaque monkey "was not captured alive," according to Meagan Utsey, the deputy county administrator for Colleton County.
She went on to say in an email, "Colleton County initially assisted the owner in his search for the missing animal; however, no Colleton County personnel or resources were involved in this incident. We have no information related to what happened except what the owner has shared with us."
On Thursday, May 23, Bradley escaped from his habitat near Walterboro in Colleton County. The animal had been at that habitat for six years.
Colleton county Animal Services Director Laura Clark said the monkey's owner immediately contacted her office that the animal was unaccounted for. Clark said Saturday that professionals were hired to help bring the animal home. She said because of all the coverage of the animal's disappearance on both social media and news outlets, she said the owners efforts to find the animal on his own were hampered.
The animal wasn't considered dangerous or aggressive but since the animal was wild, there was some slight concern to other small animals. The Colleton County Sheriff's Office had reported that Bradley attempted to attack a resident's dog and urged residents to be vigilant when letting their animals out as a precaution.
The Japanese Macaque go back and forth between living on the ground and in the trees. They're also known for leaping and are good swimmers and are noted for their intelligence.