40 Monkeys Escape Research Facility in South Carolina, Authorities Urge Caution

A group of 40 monkeys has escaped from a research facility in South Carolina, prompting local authorities to issue a warning to residents to secure their doors and windows to prevent the primates from entering homes. The Alpha Genesis lab, which conducts clinical trials on brain diseases and has a 100-acre quarantine and breeding facility, experienced the break-out on Wednesday night.

The escaped monkeys are juvenile rhesus macaques, weighing around 6-7 pounds each. Authorities are using thermal-imaging cameras, traps, and food to lure them back to the facility. The Alpha Genesis company has self-reported several issues, including improperly secured enclosures and moldy food, following inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has also fined the facility multiple times. This is not the first time the facility has experienced an escape, with 19 monkeys escaping in 2016 and 43 in 2014 before being recaptured.

The monkeys are currently roaming in the Lowcountry area, known for its dense woodland, and residents are being advised to contact authorities if they encounter the primates. The facility breeds monkeys for medical testing and research, but has maintained that the escaped monkeys have not been tested on and are too young to carry diseases. Despite these claims, the escapes have raised concerns about the safety and security of the facility. The recapture efforts are ongoing, and the facility has set traps to prioritize the safe return of the escaped animals.

The incident serves as a reminder of the complex challenges faced by research facilities in balancing the advancement of medical knowledge with the safety and well-being of the animals in their care. As the recapture efforts continue, authorities and the Alpha Genesis company are working to address the concerns raised by the escape and ensure the secure return of the escaped monkeys.