YEMASSEE, S.C. (AP) — Authorities reported on Tuesday that two additional monkeys have been successfully returned to the South Carolina compound known for breeding primates for medical research.
Following the escape of Rhesus macaques last week, only 11 of the initial 43 monkeys remain unaccounted for outside the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee. Police have provided updates regarding the ongoing search and recovery efforts.
On Tuesday, Alpha Genesis officials shared that the two monkeys captured had been found enjoying peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and appeared to be in good condition. This marked another step forward in the recovery of the escaped animals.
Despite these successes, a group of monkeys is still at large. They are situated close to traps that have been strategically placed in the surrounding woods of the compound. Employees from Alpha Genesis have been monitoring the area and report hearing the soft cooing of the monkeys.
Since the incident on November 6 — caused by an employee failing to securely lock an enclosure — a total of 32 monkeys have been recovered. Alpha Genesis remains committed to retrieving the remaining animals, with operations continuing indefinitely at its facility, which is located roughly a mile (1.6 kilometers) from downtown Yemassee and about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Savannah, Georgia.
The Rhesus macaques are approximately the size of cats, with all captured monkeys being females that weigh around 7 pounds (3 kilograms). Research using these primates has been ongoing since the late 1800s; scientists believe that Rhesus macaques diverged from a common ancestor with humans approximately 25 million years ago, sharing roughly 93% of their DNA.
Health officials from Alpha Genesis, federal authorities, and local police have reassured the public that the monkeys do not pose a health risk. The facility breeds these monkeys for sale to medical research institutions.
For anyone who encounters the monkeys, it is advised to maintain a safe distance and refrain from flying drones in the vicinity, as the animals are known to be timid and may flee if disturbed.
