Authorities reported Sunday that 25 of the 43 rhesus macaque monkeys that escaped last week from a lab in South Carolina have been found.
Still Searching
The police in Yemassee confirmed that Alpha Genesis, the company operating the lab, has located and secured the monkeys. The recovered monkeys are reportedly in good health after being examined.
The search continues for the remaining 18 monkeys.
Officials have asked residents to keep doors and windows closed and to report any sightings to 911. Authorities have urged people not to approach or attempt to capture the primates, according to latinus.
Gregory Alexander, Yemassee’s chief of police, assured the public that the monkeys are not infected with any diseases. “They’re harmless and a bit shy,” Alexander added.
Didn't Close Cage Properly
The escape happened Wednesday when an employee at Alpha Genesis failed to properly close a cage, allowing the monkeys to flee.
Alpha Genesis, which supplies primates for medical research worldwide, typically handles such incidents within the facility. However, this time the monkeys exited the complex, located about a mile from Yemassee’s center.
This isn’t the first escape from the lab. In 2018, Alpha Genesis was fined $12,600 by federal authorities after dozens of primates escaped and due to issues related to animal care. Past incidents include the escape of 26 monkeys in 2014 and another 19 in 2016.
The lab, situated about 50 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia, has become a focal point of concern as authorities work to capture the remaining monkeys and ensure public safety.
