US town on alert after 43 monkeys escape from research facility

Local police described rhesus macaques as ‘difficult’
More than 40 monkeys escaped from a research facility and were on the loose in a small American town Thursday, prompting authorities to warn residents to close their doors and windows.
The rhesus macaque, described as “cranky” by police in Yemassee, South Carolina, was reported to have escaped from its enclosure the previous day at a facility operated by Alpha Genesis, which specializes in primate-based biomedical research. .
Local police said on social media that search teams had been dispatched to locate the monkey and were “trying to lure it in with bait”.
“Residents are asked to keep their doors and windows tightly closed and to call 911 immediately if they see one. Please do not approach these animals under any circumstances.”
Police added that all 43 primates were young females weighing up to 7 pounds (3 kilograms) and were not used for testing.
“We can confirm that these animals are too young to carry the disease,” an AlphaGenesis spokesperson said.
Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard called the escape “mortifying” and told CBS News that he “hopes for a happy ending” in which the primate returns of its own accord. .
He said the primates were able to roam freely after zookeepers failed to secure the enclosure door.
“It’s really like following the leader. When one person leaves, you see the others leave,” Westergaard said.
© 2024 AFP
Source: US town on alert after 43 monkeys escape from research facility (November 7, 2024) from https://phys.org/news/2024-11-town-monkeys-facility.html Retrieved November 7, 2024
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