November 9th 2024.
Forty-three monkeys, bred for medical research, managed to escape from a compound in South Carolina. The incident occurred on Wednesday when an employee at the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee forgot to fully lock a door while feeding and checking on the monkeys. These monkeys, known as Rhesus macaques, are very social creatures and tend to travel in groups. So when a few of them left through the open door, the rest followed suit.
The CEO of Alpha Genesis, Greg Westergaard, told CBS News that their main goal is to safely recapture the monkeys with no further issues. He believes that the monkeys are simply having an adventure. As of Friday, the monkeys were spotted exploring the outer perimeter of the compound and communicating with the monkeys still inside. The police statement noted that the monkeys were exhibiting calm and playful behavior, which is a good sign. The company's employees are closely monitoring the situation, maintaining a safe distance while working to recapture the monkeys.
These monkeys are about the size of a cat and all weigh around 3 kilograms. Despite this, both Alpha Genesis and federal health officials have assured the public that the monkeys pose no risk to public health. The facility breeds these monkeys to sell to researchers for medical purposes. Yemassee Police Chief Gregory Alexander emphasized that the monkeys are not infected with any diseases and are generally harmless, albeit a bit skittish.
However, it is still recommended that people living near the compound close their windows and doors and call 911 if they spot the monkeys. Approaching them could make them more frightened and difficult to capture. Eve Cooper, a biology professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, who has studied rhesus macaques, also urged people to keep their distance from the monkeys as they have the potential to be dangerous. Cooper also mentioned that some of these monkeys carry the herpes B virus, which can be fatal to humans. Despite Alpha Genesis' claim of specializing in pathogen-free primates, Cooper noted that there are still risks and advised giving the monkeys a wide berth.
The Alpha Genesis facility has been regularly inspected by federal officials, but has faced fines in the past for monkey escapes and incidents of animal harm. The group Stop Animal Exploitation Now has sent a letter to the USDA, urging them to conduct a thorough investigation and treat the company as a repeated violator. However, the facility's most recent federal inspection in May showed no issues.
In addition to being used for medical research, rhesus macaques have also been used for various other purposes such as space exploration, AIDS research, and even starred in their own reality TV show. These monkeys have been in high demand for their similarities to humans and have been studied extensively. However, they can also exhibit negative behaviors, such as forming political alliances and living in a constant state of fear and intimidation.
Overall, the goal is to safely recapture the monkeys and return them to the compound. The local community has taken the situation in stride, with some even making light-hearted jokes about stocking up on bananas to lure the monkeys back. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of properly securing animals in facilities and handling them with caution.
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