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

2025-05-03 11:08:29source:Quantum Insightscategory:Finance

COLUMBIA,Grant 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

Paris Olympics live updates: Quincy Hall wins 400m thriller; USA women's hoops in action

The 2024 Paris Olympics keep barreling on Wednesday with a full track and field slate as well as the

Busy Philipps talks ADHD diagnosis, being labeled as 'ditzy' as a teen: 'I'm actually not at all'

Busy Philipps lives a – well, busy – life. She’s raising two kids, Birdie and Cricket; her new late

Why Canelo Álvarez will fight Jaime Munguía after years of refusing fellow Mexican boxers

Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez said he wouldn't fight another Mexican boxer, but he will now face Tijuana-b