YEMASSEE, S.C.—Five more monkeys that had escaped from a South Carolina compound that breeds monkeys for medical research have been recaptured. Last week, 43 monkeys got out of an enclosure that wasn’t properly locked at the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee. As of Monday afternoon, 30 of the monkeys are back in the company’s custody unharmed, according to police.
Most of the monkeys, if not all, stayed close to the compound after escaping and employees have been working to lure them back with food. The animals that were brought back have been examined by veterinarians and are reported to be in good health.
Efforts to recover the remaining monkeys will continue at the compound, located about a mile from downtown Yemassee and 50 miles northeast of Savannah, Georgia.
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The monkeys are approximately the size of a cat and weigh around 7 pounds. These Rhesus macaques have been used for scientific research by humans since the late 1800s.
Alpha Genesis, along with federal health officials and police, have stated that the monkeys do not pose a risk to public health. The facility breeds these monkeys to sell to medical facilities and researchers.
If individuals come across the monkeys, they are advised to stay away from them and not fly drones in the area. Alpha Genesis supplies primates for research globally, according to its website.
