One of the 43 monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina research facility Wednesday night has been “safely recovered,” authorities announced Saturday.
The Yemassi Police Department said in a statement that the primates were discovered around noon Saturday and that “a significant number” of the escaped primates remained near the Alpha Genesis facility, “jumping over the facility’s fence.” said.
As of Thursday night, the monkeys were in the wooded area surrounding the Alpha Genesis facility in the countryside on the edge of Yamasee.
Police said staff at Alpha Genesis were on site throughout the weekend to feed and observe the animals, and that the monkeys were still interacting with “peers within the facility.” He called it a “positive sign.”
Yamassee police said earlier this week that a group of rhesus primates – all young females and never previously used for testing – were found at the home of Alpha Genesis, a company that provides “non-human primate products and biological research services.” He announced that he had run away. Its website.
A spokesperson for the research facility told police the animals were “too young to be a vector of disease,” according to a police statement. Police stressed on Saturday, citing a research facility, that there is no threat to public health at this time.
Police announced earlier this week that they had used thermal technology to track and retrieve the monkey and that traps had been set in the area. Alpha Genesis staff also tried to tempt them with food.
On Friday, Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard told NBC News in an email: “Yesterday’s incident involved a new enclosure and occurred because the caretaker, who was performing routine cleaning and feeding, did not secure two separate doors. This was purely human error.” . ”
Mr Westergaard said in a police statement on Saturday that efforts to recover the monkey would continue into the weekend “for as long as necessary”.
Police urged the public to stay away from the area around Alpha Genesis as the monkeys could easily be startled. Officials also asked the public to refrain from using drones in the area, saying it “not only frightens the animals but also increases stress levels.”
Police said Friday that the drones flew over the area, “creating a disturbance that frightened the animals and further complicated efforts to facilitate their safe return.”
Police also urged the public to call 911 if they spot any remaining primates.
Patrick Smith and Austin Mullen contributed.
