Rekubit Exchange|24 more monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina lab are recovered unharmed

2025-05-07 10:43:18source:Sterling Prestoncategory:Finance

COLUMBIA,Rekubit Exchange 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

Alabama Supreme Court authorizes third nitrogen gas execution

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A third person is set to be executed by nitrogen gas, Alabama authorized Wed

The history of No. 11 seeds in the Final Four after NC State's continues March Madness run

Add North Carolina State to the NCAA men's tournament record book.The magical postseason run for the

Salvage crews to begin removing first piece of collapsed Baltimore bridge

Salvage crews were set to lift the first piece of Baltimore's collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge fro