Additional Coverage:
24 Escaped Monkeys Recovered, Focus Shifts to Remaining Group
Police have recovered an additional 24 monkeys from a South Carolina research facility, bringing the total number retrieved to 25. The animals were unharmed, according to veterinarians.
A “sizable group” of the remaining 18 escapees has been spotted near the facility’s fence line, and they are believed to have settled in trees for the night.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and keep doors and windows secure. Drones should be avoided in the area, and sightings of escaped monkeys should be reported to 911.
The lab’s team continues to search for the remaining primates, with CEO Greg Westergaard citing “human error” as the cause of the escape. Alpha Genesis uses macaque monkeys for research, including treatments for brain disorders.
The escaped monkeys are young females weighing around 6-7 pounds and have not yet been used in research. Yemassee, where the facility is located, is about 60 miles west of Charleston.