Blake Preston|24 more monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina lab are recovered unharmed

2025-05-05 08:31:28source:Rubypointcategory:Finance

COLUMBIA,Blake Preston S.C. (AP) — More than half of the monkeys bred for medical research that escaped from a compound in South Carolina last week have now been recovered unharmed, officials said Sunday.

Twenty-four monkeys were captured on Sunday, a day after another of the 43 escaped monkeys was recovered.

A “sizeable group” remains active along the compound’s fence line and bedded down in the trees for the night, police in Yemassee, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Savannah, Georgia, said in a statement. Veterinarians have been examining the animals and initial reports indicate they are all in good health, police said.

The Rhesus macaques made a break for it Wednesday after an employee at the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee didn’t fully lock a door as she fed and checked on them, officials said.

Since their escape, the monkeys have explored the outer fence of the Alpha Genesis compound, cooing at the monkeys inside. The primates continued to interact with their companions inside the facility Saturday, which police have said was a positive sign.

Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard has said that efforts to recover all the monkeys will continue for as long as it takes.

RELATED COVERAGE 1 monkey recovered safely, 42 others remain on the run from South Carolina labMonkeys that escaped a lab are a species used for human research since the 1800s43 monkeys remain on the run from South Carolina lab. CEO thinks they’re having an adventure

The monkeys are about the size of a cat. They are all females weighing about 7 pounds (3 kilograms).

Alpha Genesis, federal health officials and police all said the monkeys pose no risk to public health. The facility breeds the monkeys to sell to medical and other researchers.

Alpha Genesis provides primates for research worldwide at its compound in Yemassee, according to its website.

More:Finance

Recommend

Daughter of Utah death row inmate navigates complicated dance of grief and healing before execution

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Tressa Honie is caught between anger and grief in the lead-up to Utah’s first

Mike Gundy's DUI comments are insane thing for college football coach to say

Mike Gundy’s four-minute explanation of why he isn’t suspending Oklahoma State’s star running back O

Stellantis recalls 332,000 vehicles over faulty seat belt sensor

Stellantis is recalling 332,000 Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Jeep vehicles because sensors on their seat bel