Current:Home > Invest25 monkeys caught but more still missing after escape from research facility in SC -Wealth Evolution Experts
25 monkeys caught but more still missing after escape from research facility in SC
View
Date:2025-04-12 10:54:47
More than half of the monkeys that escaped a primate research facility last week in South Carolina have been recaptured, according to police.
Of the 43 monkeys that broke loose from Alpha Genesis, officials managed to recover 25 of them between Saturday and Sunday, leaving 18 of the animals still at large in Yemassee, a small town about 60 miles west of Charleston. The primates, a bare-faced species known as rhesus macaques, made a break for it Wednesday when a caretaker at the research center failed to lock the doors after a feeding.
Police in Yemassee said Sunday on Facebook that "a sizable group remains active" near the research center's fence line and had "bedded down in the trees for the night."
The post, which quoted Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard, said the company's recovery process "will continue until all animals are safely recovered."
43 monkeys on the loose:Animals escaped research facility in South Carolina
43 monkeys escape Alpha Genesis in SC
Since their escape, the monkeys have been spotted in trees among the woods surrounding the 100-acre Alpha Genesis facility.
Alpha Genesis, which houses about 5,00 monkeys of a variety of species at two South Carolina sites for biomedical studies and scientific research, has identified the animals as young rhesus macaques females weighing no more than 7 pounds.
The company, along with law enforcement, has been baiting the primates with food.
The monkeys that escaped have not yet been used for testing due to their size and young age, and do not pose a risk to the public since they are too young to carry disease, according to Alpha Genesis.
Still, the town’s 2,200 residents have been asked to keep their doors and windows closed. Anyone who spots the monkeys are warned against approaching the "skittish" animals and are asked to instead call 911, according to police.
25 recaptured monkeys are 'in good health'
The first monkey was caught Saturday, followed by the recapture of 24 others on Sunday, Yemassee police said. Officials have not said where the monkeys have been recovered.
Veterinarians who have evaluated the animals have their capture have indicated that the the recovered monkeys were 'in good health,' according to police.
The department's Facebook post also urged residents not to fly drones in the area after a recent incident "led to the primates becoming spooked, which not only increased their stress but also complicated efforts for their safe return."
Not first time monkeys escape Alpha Genesis
This is not the first time monkeys have escaped Alpha Genesis.
In 2016, 19 monkeys escaped from Alpha Genesis and were captured almost six hours later, according to The Post and Courier.
Two years prior to that, 26 monkeys escaped in December 2014 and were recaptured within two days. The company was later fined $12,600 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for failures to contain the animals.
Contributing: Saman Shafiq, Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
veryGood! (63446)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- World Wrestling Entertainment star Bray Wyatt dies at 36
- Prosecutors seek plea hearings for 2 West Virginia jail officers accused in inmate’s death
- Radio announcer Suzyn Waldman fed up with 'boring,' punchless Yankees
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- The Morning Show Season 3 Trailer Unveils Dramatic Shakeups and Takedowns
- Terry Dubrow Reveals Romantic Birthday Plans With Wife Heather After Life-Threatening Blood Clot Scare
- Zimbabwe’s election extends to a second day after long ballot delays. Some slept at polling stations
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- New York Police: Sergeant suspended after throwing object at fleeing motorcyclist who crashed, died
Ranking
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Jim Harbaugh announces Michigan football coaching plan during his suspension
- Grand jury declines to indict officer in fatal Kentucky police shooting of armed Black man
- Chinese man rides jet ski nearly 200 miles in bid to smuggle himself into South Korea, authorities say
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Kansas judge seals court documents in car chase that ended in officer’s shooting death
- Paul Flores, Kristin Smart's killer, hospitalized after being attacked in prison, lawyer says
- Watch Adam Sandler and Daughter Sunny’s Heated Fight in Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah Movie
Recommendation
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
High school comedy 'Bottoms' is violent, bizarre, and a hoot
Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl jams with Taylor Hawkins cover band: Watch here
Philadelphia Zoo welcomes two orphaned puma cubs rescued from Washington state
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
Broken, nonexistent air conditioning forces schools to change schedules during 'heat dome'
T-Mobile is laying off 5,000 employees
New gas pipeline rules floated following 2018 blasts in Massachusetts