In Columbia, South Carolina, a total of 43 monkeys meant for medical research managed to escape from a compound. Fortunately, one of the monkeys has been safely recovered, according to officials. The rest of the monkeys are still in the vicinity, jumping back and forth over the facility’s fence, as stated by the police.
The Rhesus macaques made their escape on Wednesday after an employee at the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee failed to fully lock a door while feeding and checking on them. As of Friday, the monkeys were seen exploring the outer fence of the compound and communicating with the monkeys inside. This interaction continued on Saturday, which is seen as a positive sign by the authorities.
CEO of Alpha Genesis, Greg Westergaard, has assured that efforts to retrieve all the monkeys will continue throughout the weekend and beyond. These monkeys are approximately the size of a cat and weigh around 7 pounds each. They are all female Rhesus macaques bred for sale to medical and other researchers by the facility.
Despite the escape, Alpha Genesis, along with federal health officials and the police, have confirmed that the monkeys do not pose a threat to public health. The facility is known for providing primates for research purposes globally from its compound in Yemassee, which is located about 50 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia.
The situation is being closely monitored by the authorities to ensure the safety of both the monkeys and the public. If you want to stay updated on this developing story and other news, be sure to join our newsletter for the latest updates delivered directly to your inbox.
