SafeX Pro:24 more monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina lab are recovered unharmed

2025-05-02 05:06:05source:SafeX Procategory:Invest

COLUMBIA,SafeX Pro 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:Invest

Recommend

Angie Murimirwa: From hiding in the bathroom to Time's most influential people list

I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people

'Get wild': Pepsi ad campaign pokes fun at millennial parents during NFL Wild Card weekend

Millennial parents everywhere will feel so seen if they watch Pepsi's new Wild Cherry commercials du

Navy helicopter crashes into San Diego Bay, all 6 people on board survive

A Navy helicopter crash in the ocean off the Southern California coast happened Thursday night and a