Forty-three rhesus macaque monkeys escaped from a research facility in South Carolina, leading workers and police to track them in the nearby woods.
The monkeys escaped the Alpha Genesis facility on Thursday when a door was accidentally left unlocked. Greg Westergaard, the facility’s CEO, described the monkeys as “having an adventure” and assured that efforts are being made to bring them back safely.
The monkeys, each weighing around 3 kg (about the size of a cat), have been spotted near the compound’s outer fence, interacting with other monkeys still inside. Police reported that the escaped monkeys appear calm and playful, with workers using food to lure them back. Though the escape is unusual, the rhesus macaques pose no health risk to the public, according to Yemassee’s police chief and Alpha Genesis officials.
This isn’t the first escape incident for Alpha Genesis. Past issues led to a fine from the USDA, and animal welfare advocates have expressed concerns, calling for further inspections. The company, which houses about 6,700 primates, is frequently inspected to ensure safety and compliance with animal care standards.
Alpha Genesis breeds these monkeys for scientific research, which has contributed to important medical advances. The rhesus macaque species is widely studied due to its similarities to humans, sharing about 93% of the same DNA. Scientists use these primates to study human health, develop vaccines, and understand behaviour.
